PROMPT #1: Healthcare as a Right or a Privilege
The issue of healthcare as either a right for the people or as a privilege emerges as one of the debated topics. Despite opposing views, “The United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights lists medical care among the basic human rights to which all people are entitled” (Healthcare Issues, 2015). Hence, to make people get desired care, implementing reform measures is vital. Notably, the need access care, as opposed to being denied, lies in an increased number of the uninsured. Significantly, as of 2011, approximately 17% of citizens in the USA lacked basic insurance (Healthcare Issues, 2015), an issue that denied a significant number the desired healthcare. Making healthcare a privilege excludes those in without abilities but also creates a sense of responsibility in public. It thus means that socio-economic issues and political status or wealth play a role in attaining required healthcare, and exclusion of the poor and those unable to get coverage on time from healthcare access.
Health as a right example might be for a 2-year-old bay suffering from congenital heart conditions, from a low-income family, unable to cater for surgery and post-surgical costs, denial of care can cause death. Thus, to ensure that there is an equal and quality accessibility of healthcare for the different members of society, the making of healthcare as a right is vital. There are critical examples from other nations which have made care accessible like Scandinavia and Great Britain where healthcare gets controlled by the government from access to delivery, and in most cases, free to everyone and financed predominantly by taxation (Healthcare Issues, 2015). Germany, as well as France, have health insurance guarantees for the majority of its citizens. The goal is increasing accessibility, as a way of ensuring collective well-being. Nevertheless, there is the need for being cautious with one's health, as, without health, there is no life, which somehow makes healthcare a right.
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PROMPT #2: Role of Government Policy in Doctor-Patient Decisions
The case of Mendoza is vital in painting a picture on healthcare procedures, especially abortion. Majorly, Government policy must act as a guide in decision-making, making care better as opposed to increasing healthcare risks. As seen from the case, although unplanned, Ms Mendoza is told that her 19 weeks foetus is dead, with abortion option. Of options, Mendoza’s doctor recommends chemically induced labour or the undertaking of dilations and evacuations (D&E), of which Mendoza agrees with D & E. A key policy mentioned is the 2003 “partial birth abortion ban” signed by President Bush, highly prohibiting doctors from indulging in committing overt acts killing partially delivered foetuses (Mendoza, 2004). With the act, the decisions of Mendoza and doctor needed alignment with Government policy. Mendoza notes that with the ban, “ Fewer than 7 percent of obstetricians are trained to do D&Es ” (Mandoza, 2004), hence increasing death risks. Primarily, when faced with a death-threatening situations, there is the need in applying policies to benefit patients, with existing government policy on abortion, only acting as a guide of the right framework for making informed choices.
Also, as noted by Mendoza, in reviewing 300 second- trimester publications on abortions published in the year 2002, it was determined that 29% of the women undergoing labour and delivery suffered postprocedural complications, in comparison to only 4% having D&Es. (Mendoza, 2004). Hence, current Policy banning partial abortion, accompanied by the statistical data, one can make the right decisions. And from the case, despite recommendations for D&E, it is found that Mendoza’s baby is not as diagnosed as dead, later on delivering a quality baby. Finally, Mendoza notes that “ D&Es are the safest procedure in many cases, and that the law is particularly cruel to mothers like me whose babies were already dead ” (Mendoza, 2004). Indicating policies as increasing risks, then making life safe.
References
Health Care Issues (2015). Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection .
Mendoza, M. (2004). Between a Woman and Her Doctor: A Story About Abortion You Will Never Forget. MS. Magazine. Retrieved from http://www.msmagazine.com/summer2004/womanandherdoctor.asp
Health Care Issues (2015). Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection .
Mendoza, M. (2004). Between a Woman and Her Doctor: A Story About Abortion You Will Never Forget. MS. Magazine
