In the US, is healthcare a right or a privilege? (Ruthann Russo)

Sure, we all inherently believe that healthcare is or should be a right. No matter, in the US, the answer to the question, “is healthcare a right?”, depends on two things: first, who you are and second, whether you have completed the appropriate paperwork. In the US, our government only guarantees healthcare insurance benefits to certain classes of the population, namely the poor and the elderly. So one way to look at expanding the right to healthcare is to determine if more of us can be covered under Federal Government sponsored insurances. Here's who covers what. Medicare covers those who meet one of the following criteria:

1. Over the age of 64
2. On disability
3. Diagnosed with Renal Failure/ESRD and certain other diseases
4. A child of a disabled parent

In addition to economically needed, 35 states have Medicaid programs that provide coverage to additional groups. These are:

1. Pregnant women through a 60 day post-partum period
2. Children under age 18
3. Blind persons
4. Children under age 21 who are full time students
5. Caretaker relatives (relatives/legal guardians who live with and take care of children)
6. Women with breast or cervical cancer
7. Patients with tuberculosis
8. Individuals in need of long term care

15 percent of Americans are still without healthcare coverage. For those Americans who do have healthcare coverage, 60% receive it through their employers, 9% purchase it themselves, 4% recieve it through military benefits, and 27% receive Medicare or Medicaid benefits. Source: www.cbpp.org

What can you do if you are one of the unfortunate individuals, or families, falling through the cracks of the healthcare system?

1. Determine if you meet any of the criteria for Medicaid eligibility since most states have expanded the coverage criteria in the past several years. Most hospitals have staff members who will help you fill out the forms.

2. All hospitals, regardless of their profit status, are required to provide some amount of charitable care to patients. You can inquire within the hospitals’ financial departments or business office to find out what you need to do to receive these kinds of benefits directly from the hospital.