Is Healthcare a basic need?

That seems to be the debate of the day. Is heath care a basic need that should be provided for everyone (free of charge for those that cannot afford it), or is it a privilege? Let me ask another question. Is water a basic right? I would say yes, since we cannot survive without it. How come we do not provide water to everyone free of charge? I would vote for fee water before free health care. What about heat? Is that a basic right? It should be in Cleveland, the winters are pretty nasty there. Are water and heat more important or less so than health care? Why don't we nationalize those first? And why stop there? What about shelter, clothing, electricity and transportation? Where is the line drawn (if anywhere)? And more importantly, who is going to pay for it? We could cut all of our military spending, along with world aid we supply and redirect (or redistribute for all you lefties) those funds to provide a free nationalist society where no one has to pay for anything. I am sure that would foster a desire to work in those that are already less than motivated. So with no military, and a Utopian society, I am sure the rest of the world will leave us alone. Laissez-faire, if you please. Then we can all sit around and sing koombaya with our neighbors. Yes, that sounds realistic. Let me know how it works out.

Health Insurance - you want it, you got it... and you just have to pay for those that can't

The latest proposed legislation regarding health insurance is a costly one. I am sure everyone was excited about Obama's promise of insurance for everyone, including the alleged 50 million uninsured Americans. Well, that reality may be just around the corner. In a time where the economy seems to be shrinking, this legislation proposes that carrying health insurance be required for everyone, all the time, just like car insurance. Additionally, those that choose not to purchase health care will be fined ($1,000 fine per individual, more for families). There will be government subsidies available or the poor, and it will be interesting to see how they use (if they use it). Finally, there will be still be increased taxes to offset the costs of the health care system and cuts for Medicaid and Medicare. So if you have made the choice not to carry health insurance up to this point, the decision is no longer yours (for all you pro-choice folks out there). Hopefully the health care system works a bit better than the car insurance system. I just wonder if there will be a "Safe Auto" or a "Geico" option out there...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090703/ap_on_go_co/us_health_care_overhaul