By Sophia Ludtke ‘20, Commentary Editor

Imagine you are walking past a lake, wearing a brand new pair of shoes. You see a young child desperately splashing, trying to shout for help while keeping his head above the water. What would you do? For most, the answer is simple: you jump into the water and save the drowning child. In this case, the cost of ruining your brand new pair of shoes seems a small price to pay for saving this young child’s life.

But what happens if this child no longer has a name, no longer has a face, and is just one of millions in need. Why does that natural inclination to jump in and help, regardless of the cost, all of a sudden disappear?

In 1948, the World Health Organization declared healthcare a basic human right–a right all should be entitled to regardless of their ability to pay. But in the 70 years since that declaration, the millions of faceless and nameless individuals have yet to be granted the basic human right they justly deserve.

When the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was signed into law by President Obama in March 2010, the country was taking a dramatic step in the right direction. While the Affordable Care Act as it originally stood did not provide universal healthcare (too many could be exempt from the requirement to purchase health insurance for it to be truly considered universal), it moved to ensure that individuals, regardless of their socioeconomic status, would have access to quality healthcare.  

To understand how contentious the debate over healthcare has become, one has to look no further than the cardboard signs everyday citizens are bringing to increasingly frequent public marches, echoing the heated arguments taking place over the issue in Congress. One sign proclaims that “The ACA saved my life” while another retorts, “Keep your politics out of my healthcare.” “Healthcare is a right not a privilege” defends one, while “no socialism” asserts another.

While the Affordable Care Act is not without its flaws, the fundamental premise of ensuring that all are provided with a fundamental human right is indisputable.

When I hear that the U.S. is one of the only developed countries in the world failing to provide universal health coverage, I cannot help but feel embarrassed. France, the United Kingdom, South Korea, New Zealand, and Canada, among several other countries, have done so. But we have not.

Indeed, there are reasons why the U.S. has failed to provide universal healthcare. An article in U.S. News points to three primary reasons. First, it is not a primary concern for individuals (a lower percentage of Americans compared to those from countries such as Canada, the UK, Germany, and Sweden think that caring for the sick or injured should be a government responsibility). Second, lobbying power has proven to be a strong force of opposition ($100 million in lobbying was spent during the passage of the ACA). And third, the “inertia” of our political system has made the passage of legislation difficult (any potential law has to travel through committees, face the threat of a veto, and undergo the scrutiny of budget committees amongst other hurdles). On top of this, we now have a presidential administration intent on rolling back any progress that has been made.

But these voices of opposition seem small when compared to a number that carries substantial weight–425,000. This is the number of lives a 2009 study published in the American Journal of Public Health estimated were lost pre-ACA due to a lack of health insurance.

Prohibitive medical costs can keep the uninsured from seeking out regular wellness check-ups and preventative screenings–services that, when taken advantage of, can eliminate the need for costly procedures later on. Furthermore, studies have shown that preventative childhood medical care can reduce rates of crime and rates of welfare dependency later in life. When our government puts money towards universal healthcare coverage, an investment is being made. Not only is a basic right being provided for all, but the investment holds the potential to pay, at least in part, for itself by warding off future more serious health complications.

In our home state, the issue is making its way to the center of political candidates’ platforms. Democratic candidate Mikie Sherrill (11th District) may be running for a congressional seat this fall. Sherrill voices her official stance on the issue, saying, “healthcare should be a right and not a luxury, and we can do more to bring down costs and make sure every American has access to affordable healthcare coverage.” Current Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen recently voted in support of President Trump’s repeal bill, which would take away coverage from thousands. It remains to be seen how constituents will vote on the issue in the upcoming election.

Those who stand against universal healthcare cite fears that it will take away individual freedom. But true freedom comes from a society in which individuals can choose a career path without concern over whether their employers will provide health insurance. It comes from a society in which all can take full advantage of preventative health services so as to fend off future health complications. It comes from a society in which no family has to make the painful decision between obtaining care for a sick child or preserving a much-needed paycheck. It comes from a society in which no individual with a pre-existing conditions has to struggle to find sufficient coverage. It comes from a society in which all are guaranteed the fundamental human right of healthcare.