Ms. Murray and I agree that this is a relevant moral issue for Christians, but let’s take just the idea that health care for all is a fundamental right. What does this mean? Each of us has the right not to be deprived by either the state or other people of life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, lawfully acquired property and the like. By extension, I have the right not to be deprived of care that could extend or improve my life. So do you. But that does not give you or me the right to force someone else to provide me with food, land, a house, or health care—all of which are scarce resources. Nor do I have a right to delegate such coercive power to a governmental authority. If I did, then that would mean I have the right to violate the rights of others, which I don’t.
Brilliantly put.
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