On this particular topic, it is important to acknowledge the viewpoints of others. Review the following statements made by other groups. Pay attention to those who do not agree with you and reflect on their right to have a different opinion.

Healthcare should be a right.

We believe that healthcare should be a right extended to our citizens. Although not foreseen by our nation’s forefathers in the Bill of Rights, the right to healthcare does support a critical principle of the Constitution. Healthcare as a right promotes the general welfare of our citizens.

It was a difficult issue for our group to reach a majority decision. By a 4-3 majority, we have decided that healthcare is, and should be a privilege, not a right. There are many different ways Americans can take care of our healthcare needs, and not one of those ways is anything to which we are entitled.

 

We believe that healthcare in the United States should be considered a privilege. The Webster’s dictionary defines privilege as: "a special advantage, immunity, or benefit granted to or enjoyed by an individual, class, or caste." A right is defined as "something due a person or governmental body, by law, tradition, or nature". We do not believe that with this definition in mind that healthcare today is a right. We are not “owed” anything; the government is not giving us the right to have healthcare, the government is just requiring us to have healthcare insurance.

 

We believe that healthcare in The United States is a privilege for the following reasons: