Is Health Care a Human Right?

Download Dr. John Newman’s Presentation (PDF)

This is a summary of a meeting of the HHI Ethics Society on May 6, 2026, where Dr. John Newman, Executive Director of the Volunteers in Medicine (VIM) clinic on Hilton Head, led a discussion on healthcare as a fundamental right or an ethical imperative.

Key Themes and Perspectives

•           VIM Model and Mission: Dr. Newman highlights the history of VIM, founded by Dr. Jack McConnell to serve the island’s uninsured workforce. The clinic provides free, comprehensive care to those living or working in the region who fall below 300% of the federal poverty level. VIM’s philosophy is centered on "hope, purpose, and love," and it uniquely prioritizes disease prevention because avoiding chronic conditions directly saves the clinic money.

•           The Right vs. Imperative Debate:

•           Healthcare as a Right: Dr. Newman noted that while 38% of countries include healthcare as a constitutional right, many (like Mexico) lack the infrastructure to deliver on that promise. He questioned if the label "right" matters if actual care is not accessible.

•           Ethical Imperative: Participants argued that an "ethical imperative" is more powerful because it compels action from individuals and societies regardless of legislation. One attendee suggested that rights are actually born out of ethical imperatives.

•           Challenges in the U.S. System: The discussion touched on the instability of healthcare access, noting that many people lost coverage following the repeal of Affordable Care Act subsidies. Participants critiqued both the U.S. for its high costs and lack of universal vs. and nationalized systems like Canada’s for long wait times.

•           Defining Healthcare: The group discussed how true healthcare extends beyond medical treatment to include "adequate" living conditions like clean water, healthy food, and housing.

•           Economic Realities: Dr. Newman emphasized that healthcare debates are often about money and the management of limited resources. He argued for a "basic safety net" and high-value preventive measures, such as vaccinations and colonoscopies, to maximize societal good.

The session concluded with a personal anecdote from Dr. Newman about the fallibility of medical diagnosis, underscoring the spiritual and human elements that remain in medicine despite technological advances.