With Liberty, Justice, and Health Care For All
Many of these rights and responsibilities are taken for granted in developed countries, but achieving the ability to guarantee the necessary services is not so widespread. In our own country, with an expensive health care system and the growing number of people without health insurance, it is becoming more of a problem.
There is a difference between the goal of making necessary health care available to all and “national health insurance.” Whether universal health insurance is the answer to providing health care for all is not a question that Catholic social teaching alone can answer. Although it does point out that some method of providing access is the responsibility of society when individuals cannot do it on their own, the health care question is a practical problem that has to be worked out with the wisdom and skill of legislators, health care professionals, voters, and all involved citizens. Catholic social teaching also implies educating people as to their responsibilities concerning preventive medicine: taking reasonable care of their health.
The following excerpt is an example of how the American bishops continue to remind legislators and others that the dignity of the human person calls for access to necessary health care:
“We consider access to adequate health care to be a basic human right, necessary for the development and maintenance of life and for the ability of human beings to realize the fullness of their dignity. A just society is one that protects and promotes fundamental human rights and dignity, with special attention to meeting the basic needs of children and the vulnerable, including the need for safe and affordable health care” (Letter to the United States Senate, June 2007, from the U.S. Catholic Bishops, Catholic Charities, and the Catholic Health Association).
Many statements have been made during the recent campaigns concerning access to necessary health care for all. Let’s pray that the next administration will help move us closer to meeting this very basic need.
Stephen Palmer, recently retired from the National Catholic Educational Association and National Association of Parish Catechetical Directors, now works for the Benedictine Counseling Services in the Washington, DC, area.