Should all Americans have the right (be entitled) to health care?

46.3 million people in the US were uninsured in 2008 according to the US Census Bureau.  In 2007, health care expenditures totaled $2.2 trillion - 16.2% of the US economy. Health care is the largest industry in the US, employing more than 14 million people.

Proponents of the right to health care argue that it would stop medical bankruptcies, improve public health, and reduce overall health care spending.  They say that no one in the richest nation on earth should go without health care. A June 12-16, 2009 poll shows that 64% of Americans say health care should be a right.

Opponents argue that using tax revenue to provide health care to all Americans amounts to socialism and would decrease the quality and availability of health care for those who work hard to get medical coverage. They say it is not the government’s responsibility to guarantee health coverage. Read more…