The Declaration of Independence clearly states that we are all endowed with certain unalienable rights, among these “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

The right of “Life” is made alienable by our healthcare system.

The Geneva Conventions have been accepted world-wide and ratified by the United States. The Geneva Conventions is the reason John McCain got medical care when he was captured. Remember seeing his interview from his hospital bed?

The first Geneva Convention (for the amelioration of the wounded and sick in armed forces and field) and the second Geneva Convention (for the amelioration of the condition of wounded, sick and shipwrecked members or armed forces at sea), clearly state that the sick, wounded and shipwrecked must be given adequate medical care. Even enemy forces must be given adequate medical care.

Also, medical equipment must not be intentionally destroyed. Hospitals and ambulances cannot be intentionally destroyed. Medics are required to treat the wounded enemy just as they would treat their own.

The third Geneva Convention (prisoners of war) says that POW must be given the medical care their state of health demands.

The fourth Geneva Convention (protection of Civilians in time of war) covers all individuals "who do not belong to the armed forces, take no part in the hostilities and find themselves in the hands of the Enemy or an Occupying Power". The wounded, sick, old, children under 15, expectant mothers or mothers of children under the age of seven must be protected.

Wounded or sick civilians, civilian hospitals and staff, and hospital transport by land, sea or air must be respected and may be placed under protection of the red cross/crescent emblem.

During a time of war, medical care is a right.

Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

1. Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.

2. Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.

Medical Care is a right.

The conservatives try to push forward the notion that a right cannot be provided to one without taking it from another. Nice try, but it has no merit.

If a citizen expects to have any rights, the citizens must have the support of their country. For a person to have the right to speak freely, they must have the support of the country. To grant the right of free speech or right to bear arms or to right to medical care to one group but not another group is discriminatory and confirmed by a ruling class, not all the people.

Democratic nations have thrown off the tyranny of dictators and a ruling class in favor of freedom. Freedom is not free, it is not easy, it is not without limits and it is cannot work unless all citizens of a free democracy have equal rights.

Human rights exist in morality and in law, nationally and internationally. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights of the Organization of American States declares the people’s right to the preservation of health and to well-being, as stated in Article XI. Every person has the right to the preservation of his health through sanitary and social measures relating to food, clothing, housing and medical care, to the extent permitted by public and community resources.

Access to health care is a right.

Florida Statute 381.026 is the Florida Patient’s Bill of Rights and Responsibilities. A patient is a person who needs medical care. The Florida Statute outlines that person’s rights and responsibilities for medical care. “A patient has the right to impartial access to medical treatment or accommodations, regardless of race, national origin, religion, handicap, or source of payment.”

A person who needs medical care in Florida has the right to access medical treatment.

Any way you want to look at it, health care is a right.