Support and Opposition to U. S. Health Care System, Research Paper Example

Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act, the debate about the health-care system in the United States has only intensified.  The stands that citizens have taken either in favor of or in a position to the new legislation have been quite revealing about the values and philosophical bases underlying the reaction to the law.  This paper will contrast the values between people who are in favor of the healthcare reform measures with those beliefs held by those who oppose it.

The core value behind the new health care reform legislation is the belief that health care is a right, not a privilege.  Supporting this is the concept that there is a social contract which mandates that people are responsible for fellow citizens; this idea originates in the Bible through the philosophy that we do unto others the way we shall have them do unto us, for example, and discusses the idea that of being our brother’s keeper.  Another value is the belief that people’s well-being should override the profits of large insurance companies (McAfee, 2009.) A strong value that was incorporated into the new legislation and which was very controversial has been women’s right to control their domestic lives through the contraception provision.  Many religious groups support the contraceptive coverage provision, believing that the ability to plan one’s family is it deeply moral issue that is informed by conscience (Towns, 2012.)

Opposition to the health care reform legislation has been based on strongly held beliefs and values, including the obligation to take care of one’s self rather than relying on the help of others, and the disagreements that citizens should contribute financially to the well-being of those who cannot help themselves.  In addition, a segment of the religious community attacked the legislation based on their religious values, accusing the administration of launching an attack on religious liberty because of the requirement that employers provide contraceptive options as part of women’s reproductive health insurance (Towns,2012.)

References:

McAfee, B. (2009, September 6). The US Healthcare System–Values and Priorities. Retrieved November 28, 2012, from Global Research: http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-u-s-health-care-system-values-and-priorities/15086

Towns, E. (2012, October 3). The New Values Voters: Healthcare. Retrieved November 28, 2012, from Center for American Progress: http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/religion/news/2012/10/03/40457/the-new-values-voters-health-care/