<\/p>\n
Universal Healthcare Pros and Cons<\/span><\/h1>\n <\/p>\n
by CAPP-USA<\/span><\/h5>\n <\/p>\n
\n![\"WHat](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/sharon-mccutcheon-DjrtjX-obcE-unsplash.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Let's look at universal healthcare pros and cons from the perspective of Catholic social teaching.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
What is Universal Healthcare?<\/span><\/h2>\n
With many definitions of \u201cuniversal healthcare\u201d available, we will treat it as synonymous with \u201cnational\u201d or \u201cnationalized\u201d healthcare. I<\/span><\/span>t is healthcare provided by the government<\/strong>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nIs Healthcare a Right?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Let there be no confusion on the Church\u2019s position: Healthcare is\u00a0\"the right to bodily integrity\u00a0and to the means necessary for the proper development of life, particularly\u2026medical care.\" Therefore, a person \"has the right to be looked after\u00a0in the event of\u00a0ill-health\".\u00a0(Pope St. John XXIII, 11)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n\"Universal health coverage is not merely a technical goal to be achieved; it is primarily a moral imperative for societies that wish to call themselves just.\" (Pope Leo XIV)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nHealth<\/strong>, is <\/strong>\u201ca<\/strong>\u00a0universal right<\/strong>\u00a0which means that access to healthcare services\u00a0cannot be a privilege.\u201d\u00a0(Pope Francis)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nUniversal Healthcare - The Pros<\/span><\/h2>\n
Catholic social teaching provides criteria for evaluating<\/strong> all social programs: the common good<\/strong>, which is \"the sum total of social conditions which allow people, either as groups or as individuals, to reach their fulfillment more fully and more easily\". (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1906)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nLearn more about the common good<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nHow the principles of Catholic social teaching might apply to health care include:<\/span><\/p>\nHuman Dignity<\/strong>: Understanding \"[T]he sick person is<\/strong> not a number<\/strong>\" (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nLearn more about Human Dignity<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nSolidarity<\/strong>: \"It is to be hoped that\u2026compassion, solidarity, sharing, self-denial, giving freely, the gift of self \u2014 become the universal lexicon of those who work in the sector of health-care assistance.\" (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nLearn More about Solidarity<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nPromoters of universal healthcare cite its respect for human dignity<\/strong> by providing healthcare to all, regardless of age, sex, condition, etc.<\/span><\/p>\nIt would also meet the requirements of solidarity since healthcare would be made available to all. <\/span><\/p>\nAs for sustainability, government is not profit motivated - ensuring healthcare would not be under threat of \u2018disappearing\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\nUniversal Healthcare - The Cons<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Health care strategies aimed at pursuing justice and the common good must be economically and ethically sustainable<\/strong>\". (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nIt is \"quite clear to all that the administration of public money imposes the serious duty of avoiding its waste and improper use so that available resources, administered wisely and equitably, will serve to ensure prevention of disease and care during illness\u00a0for all who need them.\" (Pope St. John Paul II, 4)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nAs to ethical sustainability, government healthcare could mandate certain objectionable practices<\/strong> such as abortion, gender reassignment and euthanasia. Human dignity, solidarity, and religious freedom cannot be upheld if such mandates are imposed. Both practitioners and patients would be put in morally compromising positions violating the key principle of human dignity and undermining true solidarity.<\/span><\/p>\nIn the face of this, Christians must work \"to ensure\u00a0that the laws\u00a0and institutions of the State\u00a0in no way violate the right to life<\/strong> emphasizes the dignity of the human person\". (Pope St. John Paul II, 93)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nSo, overall, while the state should \"help in the attainment of living-conditions that allow [citizens] to grow and reach maturity<\/strong>... [including] health care\"\u00a0(CCC, 2288)<\/a>, it should not inordinately increase \u201cpublic agencies\u201d and \u201cspending\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 48)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nIs Universal Healthcare Good or Bad?<\/span><\/h2>\n
\u201c[T]he Church does not propose economic and political systems or programs<\/strong>, nor does she show preference for one or the other\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 41)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nHowever, Catholic social teaching raises serious concerns which any health care scheme would have to address:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\"[E]nsure\u00a0that the laws and institutions of the State in no way violate the right to life emphasizes the dignity of the human person.\"\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 93)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cA\u00a0unique responsibility\u00a0belongs to\u00a0health-care personnel\u2026Their profession calls for them to be\u00a0guardians and servants of human life.\u201d\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 89)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cCatholic healthcare institutions must\u00a0not fall into the trap\u00a0of simply running a business; they must be concerned with\u00a0personal care more than profit. We know that\u00a0health is relational, dependent on interaction with others, and requiring trust, friendship and solidarity. It is a treasure that can be enjoyed fully only when it is shared.\u201d\u00a0(Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Overall Approach of the Church May Best Have Been Stated by Pope Francis<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Some people are born into economically stable families, receive a fine education, grow up well nourished, or naturally possess great talent. They will certainly not need a proactive state; they need only claim their freedom. Yet the same rule clearly does not apply to a disabled person, to someone born in dire poverty, to those lacking a good education and with little access to adequate health care.\"\u00a0 (Fratelli Tutti, 109)<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tLearn More about Universal Healthcare<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBack to Articles<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"Three](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Three-Principles.png\")
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThree Key Principles<\/a><\/h2>Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles -\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Human-Dignity.png\")
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHuman Dignity<\/a><\/h2>This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Solidarity.png\")
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSolidarity<\/a><\/h2>Solidarity is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Subsidiarity.png\")
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Let's look at universal healthcare pros and cons from the perspective of Catholic social teaching.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
What is Universal Healthcare?<\/span><\/h2>\n
With many definitions of \u201cuniversal healthcare\u201d available, we will treat it as synonymous with \u201cnational\u201d or \u201cnationalized\u201d healthcare. I<\/span><\/span>t is healthcare provided by the government<\/strong>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nIs Healthcare a Right?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Let there be no confusion on the Church\u2019s position: Healthcare is\u00a0\"the right to bodily integrity\u00a0and to the means necessary for the proper development of life, particularly\u2026medical care.\" Therefore, a person \"has the right to be looked after\u00a0in the event of\u00a0ill-health\".\u00a0(Pope St. John XXIII, 11)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n\"Universal health coverage is not merely a technical goal to be achieved; it is primarily a moral imperative for societies that wish to call themselves just.\" (Pope Leo XIV)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nHealth<\/strong>, is <\/strong>\u201ca<\/strong>\u00a0universal right<\/strong>\u00a0which means that access to healthcare services\u00a0cannot be a privilege.\u201d\u00a0(Pope Francis)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nUniversal Healthcare - The Pros<\/span><\/h2>\n
Catholic social teaching provides criteria for evaluating<\/strong> all social programs: the common good<\/strong>, which is \"the sum total of social conditions which allow people, either as groups or as individuals, to reach their fulfillment more fully and more easily\". (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1906)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nLearn more about the common good<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nHow the principles of Catholic social teaching might apply to health care include:<\/span><\/p>\nHuman Dignity<\/strong>: Understanding \"[T]he sick person is<\/strong> not a number<\/strong>\" (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nLearn more about Human Dignity<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nSolidarity<\/strong>: \"It is to be hoped that\u2026compassion, solidarity, sharing, self-denial, giving freely, the gift of self \u2014 become the universal lexicon of those who work in the sector of health-care assistance.\" (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nLearn More about Solidarity<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nPromoters of universal healthcare cite its respect for human dignity<\/strong> by providing healthcare to all, regardless of age, sex, condition, etc.<\/span><\/p>\nIt would also meet the requirements of solidarity since healthcare would be made available to all. <\/span><\/p>\nAs for sustainability, government is not profit motivated - ensuring healthcare would not be under threat of \u2018disappearing\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\nUniversal Healthcare - The Cons<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Health care strategies aimed at pursuing justice and the common good must be economically and ethically sustainable<\/strong>\". (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nIt is \"quite clear to all that the administration of public money imposes the serious duty of avoiding its waste and improper use so that available resources, administered wisely and equitably, will serve to ensure prevention of disease and care during illness\u00a0for all who need them.\" (Pope St. John Paul II, 4)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nAs to ethical sustainability, government healthcare could mandate certain objectionable practices<\/strong> such as abortion, gender reassignment and euthanasia. Human dignity, solidarity, and religious freedom cannot be upheld if such mandates are imposed. Both practitioners and patients would be put in morally compromising positions violating the key principle of human dignity and undermining true solidarity.<\/span><\/p>\nIn the face of this, Christians must work \"to ensure\u00a0that the laws\u00a0and institutions of the State\u00a0in no way violate the right to life<\/strong> emphasizes the dignity of the human person\". (Pope St. John Paul II, 93)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nSo, overall, while the state should \"help in the attainment of living-conditions that allow [citizens] to grow and reach maturity<\/strong>... [including] health care\"\u00a0(CCC, 2288)<\/a>, it should not inordinately increase \u201cpublic agencies\u201d and \u201cspending\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 48)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nIs Universal Healthcare Good or Bad?<\/span><\/h2>\n
\u201c[T]he Church does not propose economic and political systems or programs<\/strong>, nor does she show preference for one or the other\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 41)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nHowever, Catholic social teaching raises serious concerns which any health care scheme would have to address:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\"[E]nsure\u00a0that the laws and institutions of the State in no way violate the right to life emphasizes the dignity of the human person.\"\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 93)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cA\u00a0unique responsibility\u00a0belongs to\u00a0health-care personnel\u2026Their profession calls for them to be\u00a0guardians and servants of human life.\u201d\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 89)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cCatholic healthcare institutions must\u00a0not fall into the trap\u00a0of simply running a business; they must be concerned with\u00a0personal care more than profit. We know that\u00a0health is relational, dependent on interaction with others, and requiring trust, friendship and solidarity. It is a treasure that can be enjoyed fully only when it is shared.\u201d\u00a0(Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Overall Approach of the Church May Best Have Been Stated by Pope Francis<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Some people are born into economically stable families, receive a fine education, grow up well nourished, or naturally possess great talent. They will certainly not need a proactive state; they need only claim their freedom. Yet the same rule clearly does not apply to a disabled person, to someone born in dire poverty, to those lacking a good education and with little access to adequate health care.\"\u00a0 (Fratelli Tutti, 109)<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tLearn More about Universal Healthcare<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBack to Articles<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThree Key Principles<\/a><\/h2>Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles -\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHuman Dignity<\/a><\/h2>This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSolidarity<\/a><\/h2>Solidarity is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
With many definitions of \u201cuniversal healthcare\u201d available, we will treat it as synonymous with \u201cnational\u201d or \u201cnationalized\u201d healthcare. I<\/span><\/span>t is healthcare provided by the government<\/strong>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Is Healthcare a Right?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Let there be no confusion on the Church\u2019s position: Healthcare is\u00a0\"the right to bodily integrity\u00a0and to the means necessary for the proper development of life, particularly\u2026medical care.\" Therefore, a person \"has the right to be looked after\u00a0in the event of\u00a0ill-health\".\u00a0(Pope St. John XXIII, 11)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n\"Universal health coverage is not merely a technical goal to be achieved; it is primarily a moral imperative for societies that wish to call themselves just.\" (Pope Leo XIV)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nHealth<\/strong>, is <\/strong>\u201ca<\/strong>\u00a0universal right<\/strong>\u00a0which means that access to healthcare services\u00a0cannot be a privilege.\u201d\u00a0(Pope Francis)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nUniversal Healthcare - The Pros<\/span><\/h2>\n
Catholic social teaching provides criteria for evaluating<\/strong> all social programs: the common good<\/strong>, which is \"the sum total of social conditions which allow people, either as groups or as individuals, to reach their fulfillment more fully and more easily\". (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1906)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nLearn more about the common good<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nHow the principles of Catholic social teaching might apply to health care include:<\/span><\/p>\nHuman Dignity<\/strong>: Understanding \"[T]he sick person is<\/strong> not a number<\/strong>\" (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nLearn more about Human Dignity<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nSolidarity<\/strong>: \"It is to be hoped that\u2026compassion, solidarity, sharing, self-denial, giving freely, the gift of self \u2014 become the universal lexicon of those who work in the sector of health-care assistance.\" (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nLearn More about Solidarity<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nPromoters of universal healthcare cite its respect for human dignity<\/strong> by providing healthcare to all, regardless of age, sex, condition, etc.<\/span><\/p>\nIt would also meet the requirements of solidarity since healthcare would be made available to all. <\/span><\/p>\nAs for sustainability, government is not profit motivated - ensuring healthcare would not be under threat of \u2018disappearing\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\nUniversal Healthcare - The Cons<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Health care strategies aimed at pursuing justice and the common good must be economically and ethically sustainable<\/strong>\". (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nIt is \"quite clear to all that the administration of public money imposes the serious duty of avoiding its waste and improper use so that available resources, administered wisely and equitably, will serve to ensure prevention of disease and care during illness\u00a0for all who need them.\" (Pope St. John Paul II, 4)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nAs to ethical sustainability, government healthcare could mandate certain objectionable practices<\/strong> such as abortion, gender reassignment and euthanasia. Human dignity, solidarity, and religious freedom cannot be upheld if such mandates are imposed. Both practitioners and patients would be put in morally compromising positions violating the key principle of human dignity and undermining true solidarity.<\/span><\/p>\nIn the face of this, Christians must work \"to ensure\u00a0that the laws\u00a0and institutions of the State\u00a0in no way violate the right to life<\/strong> emphasizes the dignity of the human person\". (Pope St. John Paul II, 93)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nSo, overall, while the state should \"help in the attainment of living-conditions that allow [citizens] to grow and reach maturity<\/strong>... [including] health care\"\u00a0(CCC, 2288)<\/a>, it should not inordinately increase \u201cpublic agencies\u201d and \u201cspending\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 48)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nIs Universal Healthcare Good or Bad?<\/span><\/h2>\n
\u201c[T]he Church does not propose economic and political systems or programs<\/strong>, nor does she show preference for one or the other\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 41)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nHowever, Catholic social teaching raises serious concerns which any health care scheme would have to address:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\"[E]nsure\u00a0that the laws and institutions of the State in no way violate the right to life emphasizes the dignity of the human person.\"\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 93)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cA\u00a0unique responsibility\u00a0belongs to\u00a0health-care personnel\u2026Their profession calls for them to be\u00a0guardians and servants of human life.\u201d\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 89)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cCatholic healthcare institutions must\u00a0not fall into the trap\u00a0of simply running a business; they must be concerned with\u00a0personal care more than profit. We know that\u00a0health is relational, dependent on interaction with others, and requiring trust, friendship and solidarity. It is a treasure that can be enjoyed fully only when it is shared.\u201d\u00a0(Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Overall Approach of the Church May Best Have Been Stated by Pope Francis<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Some people are born into economically stable families, receive a fine education, grow up well nourished, or naturally possess great talent. They will certainly not need a proactive state; they need only claim their freedom. Yet the same rule clearly does not apply to a disabled person, to someone born in dire poverty, to those lacking a good education and with little access to adequate health care.\"\u00a0 (Fratelli Tutti, 109)<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tLearn More about Universal Healthcare<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBack to Articles<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThree Key Principles<\/a><\/h2>Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles -\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHuman Dignity<\/a><\/h2>This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSolidarity<\/a><\/h2>Solidarity is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
Let there be no confusion on the Church\u2019s position: Healthcare is\u00a0\"the right to bodily integrity\u00a0and to the means necessary for the proper development of life, particularly\u2026medical care.\" Therefore, a person \"has the right to be looked after\u00a0in the event of\u00a0ill-health\".\u00a0(Pope St. John XXIII, 11)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n
\"Universal health coverage is not merely a technical goal to be achieved; it is primarily a moral imperative for societies that wish to call themselves just.\" (Pope Leo XIV)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Health<\/strong>, is <\/strong>\u201ca<\/strong>\u00a0universal right<\/strong>\u00a0which means that access to healthcare services\u00a0cannot be a privilege.\u201d\u00a0(Pope Francis)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Learn more about the common good<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n How the principles of Catholic social teaching might apply to health care include:<\/span><\/p>\n Human Dignity<\/strong>: Understanding \"[T]he sick person is<\/strong> not a number<\/strong>\" (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Learn more about Human Dignity<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Solidarity<\/strong>: \"It is to be hoped that\u2026compassion, solidarity, sharing, self-denial, giving freely, the gift of self \u2014 become the universal lexicon of those who work in the sector of health-care assistance.\" (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Learn More about Solidarity<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Promoters of universal healthcare cite its respect for human dignity<\/strong> by providing healthcare to all, regardless of age, sex, condition, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n It would also meet the requirements of solidarity since healthcare would be made available to all. <\/span><\/p>\n As for sustainability, government is not profit motivated - ensuring healthcare would not be under threat of \u2018disappearing\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n It is \"quite clear to all that the administration of public money imposes the serious duty of avoiding its waste and improper use so that available resources, administered wisely and equitably, will serve to ensure prevention of disease and care during illness\u00a0for all who need them.\" (Pope St. John Paul II, 4)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n As to ethical sustainability, government healthcare could mandate certain objectionable practices<\/strong> such as abortion, gender reassignment and euthanasia. Human dignity, solidarity, and religious freedom cannot be upheld if such mandates are imposed. Both practitioners and patients would be put in morally compromising positions violating the key principle of human dignity and undermining true solidarity.<\/span><\/p>\n In the face of this, Christians must work \"to ensure\u00a0that the laws\u00a0and institutions of the State\u00a0in no way violate the right to life<\/strong> emphasizes the dignity of the human person\". (Pope St. John Paul II, 93)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n So, overall, while the state should \"help in the attainment of living-conditions that allow [citizens] to grow and reach maturity<\/strong>... [including] health care\"\u00a0(CCC, 2288)<\/a>, it should not inordinately increase \u201cpublic agencies\u201d and \u201cspending\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 48)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n However, Catholic social teaching raises serious concerns which any health care scheme would have to address:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \"[E]nsure\u00a0that the laws and institutions of the State in no way violate the right to life emphasizes the dignity of the human person.\"\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 93)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cA\u00a0unique responsibility\u00a0belongs to\u00a0health-care personnel\u2026Their profession calls for them to be\u00a0guardians and servants of human life.\u201d\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 89)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cCatholic healthcare institutions must\u00a0not fall into the trap\u00a0of simply running a business; they must be concerned with\u00a0personal care more than profit. We know that\u00a0health is relational, dependent on interaction with others, and requiring trust, friendship and solidarity. It is a treasure that can be enjoyed fully only when it is shared.\u201d\u00a0(Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles -\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t Solidarity is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\tUniversal Healthcare - The Pros<\/span><\/h2>\n
Catholic social teaching provides criteria for evaluating<\/strong> all social programs: the common good<\/strong>, which is \"the sum total of social conditions which allow people, either as groups or as individuals, to reach their fulfillment more fully and more easily\". (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1906)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nUniversal Healthcare - The Cons<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Health care strategies aimed at pursuing justice and the common good must be economically and ethically sustainable<\/strong>\". (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nIs Universal Healthcare Good or Bad?<\/span><\/h2>\n
\u201c[T]he Church does not propose economic and political systems or programs<\/strong>, nor does she show preference for one or the other\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 41)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Overall Approach of the Church May Best Have Been Stated by Pope Francis<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Some people are born into economically stable families, receive a fine education, grow up well nourished, or naturally possess great talent. They will certainly not need a proactive state; they need only claim their freedom. Yet the same rule clearly does not apply to a disabled person, to someone born in dire poverty, to those lacking a good education and with little access to adequate health care.\"\u00a0 (Fratelli Tutti, 109)<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThree Key Principles<\/a><\/h2>
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHuman Dignity<\/a><\/h2>
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSolidarity<\/a><\/h2>
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t