Activity In-Class Discussion - Is Universal Health Care Economically Feasible

"Everyone everywhere should have access to healthcare." While this statement reflects a noble idea and an ideal to strive for, there are social, economic and even ethical factors that affect the reality. This discussion will examine the questions:

• Does everyone have a right to health care?
• Should universal health coverage be the federal government's responsibility? If so, to what extent?

Instructions

As you begin your discussion, remember the earlier TEDx Talk that asked if health care was a right or a luxury. Think about the points raised in the introduction in the context of the following scenarios:

Scenario 1: International traveller on a visitor visa without traveller's insurance who gets into an accident and is critically ill.

Scenario 2:Undocumented immigrant in need of medical care after finding a lump in the breast.

Scenario 3:Individual who has acted against medical advice and is now experiencing complications of their condition.

Scenario 4:Individual who committed aggravated assault with a weapon and received an abdominal stab wound during the altercation.

Discuss the ethics and economics related to providing care for each of these individuals in a country with universal health coverage. This discussion will be facilitated by your instructor.