Reply #61: "health care is a privilege granted by government" [View All]

[iverglas]

Yeah.

Let's see jody repeat that if his government decides he is not entitled to a heart transplant. Even if he pays for it himself.

Health care is a right, just like eating pizza is a right.

Whether there is a right to have health care paid for by the public is a public policy decision to be made by the society in question. Not all rights are listed in constitutions. Really.

I believe that in most places in the US, the indigent have a right to have counsel provided to them at public expense when they are charged with serious criminal offences.

Does the U.S. constitution say that?

Nope. But the public, through their governments, did.

Heck. I think maybe even some courts might have said it.

Surely when an individual has a right to counsel, s/he still has the personal responsibility of retaining, instructing and paying counsel -- ??

Just like the individual who has a right to "keep and bear arms", and yet doesn't expect the government to issue the arms free of charge. Just like jody says.

Of course, I'll never know whether jody agrees with the right to have counsel provided at public expense ...