INTERVIEW WITH STACIA
HEALTHCARE – A
RIGHT OR A PRIVILEGE?
SONGSOPTOK: Do you consider primary healthcare
to be a fundamental right? Is it deemed as such in the society you live in?
Please explain your answer with a few examples if possible.
STACIA REYNOLDS: I personally
believe that primary healthcare should be an essential part of every human
being, in society, as a whole. Primary healthcare, in the United States of
America, is a right every person has, but healthcare is very costly. President
Obama developed a health care reform, which by law, every citizen is now
required to carry health insurance or be penalized. So not only is it a
fundamental right in the United States, but it is a law. This law has made it
difficult, for the fundamental right to heath care, to fall in any category of
fairness for the citizens of the U.S.
SONGSOPTOK: What is the
system of healthcare in the country and the society you live in? Is it a just
and equitable system in the sense that all citizens enjoy the same benefits
across economic and social classes?
STACIA REYNOLDS: The system of
healthcare in the United States of America is a market based system. Insurance
companies compete with each other for their business’ economic gain. This is
not an equitable system; citizens of the U.S. do not receive the same benefits
of healthcare across the country. Healthcare insurance carried by an
individual, or a family, depends on: career, company insurance benefits, social
status, and economic standing.
SONGSOPTOK: Do you think that free healthcare cannot be a right, but
it can be a privilege and a shared burden of sacrifice for the sake of the
social contract?
STACIA REYNOLDS: For the sake of
society, and every individual to flourish in the society, healthcare, I
believe, should be a benefit everyone should have equally. Not only do I
believe healthcare is a right, but should also bear, as a responsibility, of
the social contract.
SONGSOPTOK: What, in your opinion, should be the role of the
government for ensuring equal healthcare to all citizens? What role is played
by the government of the country you live in?
STACIA REYNOLDS: The government,
in my opinion, should take on the responsibility and accountability, to ensure
every citizen has the same rights and freedom to healthcare, as their fellow
neighbor. The United States developed a healthcare reform, within this reform
the president also created an Affordable Care Act for those in the middle
class, who have had a difficult time with the high cost of health insurance.
The government provides Medicaid for those whose income falls below the poverty
line; this is free insurance. The government also provides Medicare for those
who are disabled or over 65 years in age.
SONGSOPTOK: According to the data published by World Health
Organization (WHO), nearly 16 000 children under the age of 5 die every day in
the world (5.9 million in 2015) from infectious, neonatal or nutritional
conditions. Is this a reality in the country you live in? If so, what would
your suggestions of improvement be?
STACIA REYNOLDS: In the United
States of America, prenatal, yearly well-checks for children, which includes
recommended immunizations, are available for every expectant mother and
child/children. The United States also has available a government program that
aids families, whose income falls under the poverty line, food vouchers. These
vouchers usually occur on a monthly basis.
Though the government has these programs available, there is a fine line
of eligibility, which makes it very difficult for some citizens to receive the
free benefits offered. These individuals and/or their families are the ones
that have had to go without benefits, and struggle with the costs of doctor
visits and feeding their children.
SONGSOPTOK: “Free access to healthcare is a fundamental human right.
Access to free healthcare is not” – do you agree with this statement? Please
explain your choice.
STACIA REYNOLDS: I agree with
this statement. As mentioned above, in the U.S., there is a fine line of
eligibility between what is considered poverty. Some individuals and families
may fall just above this line, and are unable to receive government benefits.
As a result, these individuals struggle to pay doctor or hospital bills if they
need to go, which they usually avoid due to high cost of health care, and they
struggle to live healthy lives through the provision of proper food.
SONGSOPTOK: How important is the role of the private sector for
providing healthcare and related facilities in your country? What it is your
opinion about it?
STACIA REYNOLDS: The importance
of the private sector, in the provision of healthcare, within the United States
is important, though debatable. It is important in the U.S. because, by law,
every citizen needs to carry healthcare insurance, if not they are penalized.
Citizens who do not fall under the poverty level, and are eligible for free
Medicaid insurance, are required to buy their own coverage. This becomes
debatable due to the fact that low to middle class individuals struggle the
most because they fall just above the Medicaid eligibility bracket. So in my
opinion, the importance put on the private sector makes it difficult when
trying to achieve equality of healthcare rights and coverage.
SONGSOPTOK: Are charitable and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO)
active in the domain of public health? If yes, then in what spheres? Do you
think that the civil society, either independently or through these
organizations, should become the prime actor for ensuring healthcare for all?
STACIA REYNOLDS: Charitable and
Non-Governmental Organizations are active in the U.S., but though they strive
to aid in the daily lives of citizens, I do not believe they would have the
ability, financially, to take on the responsibility of so many citizens that
cannot afford health care.
STACIA LYNN REYNOLDS. 42
years old, and resides in the United States of America. An Independent Contracting Editor and
Freelance Writer, Poet, and the Author of Escape
Down the Roman Road, A Poetic Journey Through Life, and her
poetry is also included in Poetic Souls
Anthology Book, and Deepest Obsessions Anthology Book. She is also on the
Editorial Team of “Our Poetry Archive.”. Her life’s goal is to encourage others
with her words. Her book Escape Down the Roman Road, is available at
WestBow Press, Amazon, Books A Million, and Barnes and Noble. Her poetry book, A Poetic Journey Through Life, is
available at lulu.com and Amazon. “
We sincerely thank you
for your time and hope we shall have your continued support.
Aparajita
Sen
(Editor:
Songsoptok)
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