Health care a basic right

Ralph Ginorio (March 18 letter) expressed the opinion that health care is not a right. Mr. Ginorio points out that the Constitution says nothing about health care. I point out that The Declaration of Independence, which came before the Constitution says: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”

Notice that the first “inalienable right” is “Life”. Staying alive occasionally requires adequate health care.

The first job of any nation is to protect and take care of its citizens. Healthy people make more wealth and need less support. As much as half of our health care is now supported by government, like Medicare and Medicaid. It works. People like it. We can afford it. This needs to be expanded, not reduced. This will relieve employers of a costly and often complicated burden. This will free people from dependence on health care which goes away when the job ends. It is just common sense.

Allan deLaubenfels

Spokane Valley