11. Philosophy of Healthcare

Is healthcare a right or a privilege? That’s a question that the Democrats have used for years
to define the differences between themselves and Republicans—they claim that Republicans
are heartless and selfish and don’t want poor people to have access to quality care. Let’s look
at the origins of this argument.

In ancient Greece, there were 2 prominent philosophers: Hippocrates and Plato. Hippocrates
believed that physicians should provide the best care possible to all of their patients—hence
the Hippocratic oath that I and millions of physicians have taken over the years. We pledge to
protect human life in all of its forms from conception to infirmity and death.

Plato thought otherwise. He believed that only the young and strong should be allowed
medical care. Those with chronic disease or mental illness, and those who no longer
contributed to society should be allowed to die, or even be put to death. Supporters of this
philosophy also believe that babies born with physical defects should be allowed to die. They
believed that resources should be used only to support the well-being of people between the
ages of 15 and 50. Sounds crazy right? Could never happen in the U.S. right?

Now listen carefully to this quote: “…unlike allocation [of healthcare resources] by sex or
race, allocation by age is not discrimination…Treating 65 year olds differently because of
stereotypes would be ageist, treating them differently because they have already had more
life years is not…” end of quote. Who said this? Some ancient Plato follower? Nope--Dr.
Ezekiel Emanuel, President Obama’s health policy advisor (also brother to Rahm Emanuel,
Obama’s former Chief of Staff).

Now, consider that Obamacare specifically allows assisted suicide, euthanasia and mercy
killing, without penalty. I call this the Dr. Kavorkian clause. NOW consider the requirement
in Obamacare that all insurance policies sold through the exchanges should offer abortion
coverage, and that all employers should offer plans that cover abortion-inducing drugs.
Our healthcare is changing, from our Hippocratic roots to Plato’s belief of survival of the
fittest. It’s time to wake up citizens! It is time to stop this movement, led by President
Obama and the Democrat party.

(Note: This commentary is by Dr. Jill Vecchio.)