Nazareth College of Rochester Bioethics homework Worksheet

Homework assignmentArticle Abstract
Students are required to find a current article (published within the last 2 years) and write an article
abstract on the topic assigned . Each abstract should be 2-3 paragraphs in length and follow the
APA format for all written work. Abstracts will be graded using the rubric page. ( see Rubric
attachment).
Rubric attached
Article attached
Let me know if you need anything else. ☺
Christian Gardner
Professor Michele Kraynik
NSG 600 – Health Care Policy, Ethics, and Law
19 September 2017
Article Abstract – The Elusive Right to Health Care under U.S. Law
The right to health care is not guaranteed under the U.S. constitution. Some people
would suggest that it is a right and that all persons deserve proper health care, yet there has yet to
be a law put in place where it states that every American has an inclusive right to health care.
Ruger, Ruger, and Annas (2015) makes multiple statements regarding this in their paper, even
suggesting that in the past fifty years we, as Americans, have created an “incomplete web of
health care rights” (p. 2558).
In the United States we have made specific laws guaranteeing that Americans have
certain health care rights: under EMTALA patients have the right to a medical screening exam
upon arrival to an emergency department, and the court decided women have a right to
contraception, abortion, and other reproductive freedoms (p. 2559). With those cases in place we
can see how the judicial system is showing their recognition of individual rights. However, there
has yet to be a conclusive decision regarding the actual right to health care for every person.
Inmates and those in governmental custody have the right to health care as determined by
the courts; and these individuals’ health care is covered by the government because they are in
their custody. However, as mentioned, we have yet to establish the right that all Americans have
the right to health care. In addition to EMTALA there have been multiple other programs put in
place so Americans have access to health care (Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP programs), but these
programs limit those rights to the elderly, the disabled, and the less fortunate. Despite
advancements we have made (in regards to the Affordable Care Act) it does not, actually, ensure
the right to healthcare for all Americans.
Reference
Ruger, J. P., Ruger, T. W., & Annas, G. J. (2015). The elusive right to health care under U.S.
law. The New England Journal of Medicine, 372(26), 2558-2563.