Sunday, September 30, 2012

Yale theologian-philosopher Miroslav Volf's Value No. 16 (Healthcare)

Value #16 (On Healthcare)

Value: All people—poor or rich—should have access to affordable basic healthcare, just as all are responsible to live in a way conducive to physical and mental health.

Rationale: “Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness” (Matthew 9:35).

Debate: There is a legitimate debate as to how best to ensure that all people have access to affordable healthcare, but not whether the destitute should or should not be left to fend for themselves when faced with serious or chronic illness. We roughly know what it takes to lead a healthy lifestyle (exercise, minimal intake of sugar, no substance abuse, etc.), but we can and ought to debate most effective ways to help people lead such a lifestyle (for instance, how heavily should the food industry be regulated).

Questions to Ask: Which candidate is more likely to give the destitute effective access to healthcare? Which candidate is more likely to reduce the number of people who need to seek medical help?

Value No. 1: Freedom to Choose Way of Life

Value No. 2: Concern for the Poor

Value No. 3: Quality and Affordable Education

Value No. 4: Economic Growth

Value No. 5: Abolish Death Penalty

Value No. 6: Speak the Truth in Love

Value No. 7: Eradicate Global Poverty

Value No. 8: Live within our Means; No Reckless Borrowing

Value No. 9: Every Citizen Equal Access to have Say on Human Flourishing, Common Good

Value No. 10: Meaningful employment

Value No. 11: Special Care for the Elderly

Value No. 12: War is Never Justifiable

Value No. 13: No Nation is Exception to Justice

Value No. 14: We should Never Torture

Value No. 15: Unborn Human Life deserves Respect, Protection, Nurture 

 


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