Health care access and the common good: What should Americans expect?
Summary
This article examines the tension between the moral imperative of universal healthcare access and the realities of the U.S. healthcare system, highlighting the denial of medical claims by insurers and the ethical dilemmas faced by Catholic healthcare providers. It underscores the Church's teaching that healthcare is a human right, as articulated by Pope John XXIII in Pacem in Terris and Pope Francis in 2022, who emphasized that "health care is not a luxury, it is for everyone." The piece also features insights from Jesuit Father Michael Rozier, who discusses the challenges of aligning Catholic social teaching with the complexities of modern healthcare delivery.
Relevance
The article delves into the ethical considerations Catholic healthcare institutions face in balancing doctrinal teachings with the practicalities of providing care within a market-driven system. It prompts reflection on how faith-based organizations navigate the intersection of moral obligations and operational constraints in a secular society.