Individual rights in healthcare are derived from one or more ethical principles
- Rights and Needs: From a utilitarian standpoint, a healthy population contributes more to society's overall well-being. Widespread access to healthcare promotes preventative care, leading to a healthier workforce, reduced strain on emergency services, and a more productive population. This benefits both individuals and the system as a whole.
- Individuals vs. Public Health Systems: While individual needs are important, a utilitarian approach considers the broader impact. Investing in healthcare creates a healthier public, reducing the burden on the system by preventing the spread of diseases, lowering overall healthcare costs in the long run. Healthy individuals are also more likely to contribute financially to the system through taxes.
- Understanding Individual Rights and Access: Policy decisions should consider how accessibility to healthcare impacts individuals. Understanding these rights and needs allows for policies that remove barriers like affordability or geographical limitations. This increases the utilization of preventative care, ultimately leading to a healthier and more productive population.
- Impact of Ethical Model: The utilitarian focus on maximizing well-being encourages stakeholders to consider policies that benefit the most significant number of people. This can empower patient advocacy groups and public health officials to push for policies that expand access and affordability of healthcare.
However, it's important to acknowledge that utilitarianism can be criticized for potentially overlooking individual rights in favor of the greater good. In some cases, difficult choices might have to be made regarding resource allocation.
Considering a Deontological Perspective
For comparison, a deontological approach, which emphasizes following moral principles and respecting individual rights, would likely view healthcare as a right based on the inherent value of human life. This framework focuses on treating each person with dignity and ensuring their right to life and well-being.
Although both frameworks can support the concept of healthcare as a right, the utilitarian perspective provides a stronger argument for the necessity of considering access and affordability in policy decisions to maximize overall societal well-being.