“Most Americans today believe the government should guarantee health coverage for all.”
As a compassionate person it is my opinion that it would be ideal if all people in the U.S. — and all people in the world — should receive health care when needed. The same is true for the hungry and those without adequate shelter. The desire to provide same is a basic instinct of any humanitarian person with empathy.
However, I also have a survival instinct and a responsibility to provide for the well being of my family. As an American, the well being of my fellow Americans have a higher priority than that of citizens of other countries — especially those who desire to destroy our form of government and culture.
I am receptive to providing health coverage to all in the U.S. based on their ability to pay but oppose free health coverage. I live adjacent to a rapidly growing medium sized city that attracts retirees as well as technical young people. There are several hospitals but they are overloaded with patients and there is a shortage of physicians and rooms. On the last three occasions my wife or myself were taken to the ER in an ambulance we were treated on a gurney in the hallway because no rooms were available. Wait times to be admitted are based on room availability and can be up to 36 hours. The waiting period for an appointment (non-emergency) with a specialist at his office is usually about six weeks. Free medical care will cause an increased burden on currently overloaded facilities and personnel by those who don’t really need professional help.
“Many agree that people who have made great sacrifices for our country also have a special right to healthcare, such as military personnel, police officers, and firefighters.”
According to Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution Congress has the power to provide for the common defense of the United States. The healthcare of those who serve in the military is associated with defense of the country and the cost should be part of the military budget. Sadly, for decades the VA has provided inadequate medical care to our veterans. I am a veteran qualified to utilize the nearest facility. I refuse to use it because of its distant location and poor quality of care reputation. Police officers and firefighters are well deserving of quality medical care but not from the federal government. Funding for their medical care should come from their corresponding local or state taxes.
“We don’t need to appeal to a universal right to healthcare to show that the government should provide a decent minimum of healthcare for all. The combined force of the three considerations above is enough to justify universal coverage. And these are considerations both progressives and conservatives can get behind.”
If “government” is defined as local or state then I don’t strongly oppose your conclusion. If “government” includes the federal government then I maintain as a conservative/federalist that universal healthcare is unconstitutional.
