Healthcare is a Right

I believe that health care is a right. After seeing how disease can both strike at random and strategically impact those who are disadvantaged, I know that most of our health is out of our control. There are certainly diseases that individuals can contribute to, but we must examine the wider social context rather than simply blaming the individual. People generally agree that we shouldn’t be faulted for circumstances out of our control, and health is no different. Health care is also a right because health is a means to an end. Being healthy is often a prerequisite to using the other freedoms we so highly value. Health is needed to pursue a fulfilling life and to “pursue happiness.” Therefore, health should be considered as essential as any other right. After all, what use are any of our other freedoms if we lack the ability(health) to exercise them? Does this framing make anyone who thinks health is a commodity or privilege reconsider?