Biblical Morality and Healthcare
Ben, I agree in principle with most of your comments. There is, however, a big difference between individual morality and the greater reality of political power, meaning; how much power should the state have in order to mediate the moral choices and the economic well-being of its citizens? A second and third question would be; what is the best way to resolve the rising cost of healthcare—and, why are healthcare costs rising well beyond the rate of inflation, when other for profit industries like; food and housing, which are even more immediate and necessary, aren’t? The simple assumption that greed is the primary motive is simple indeed.
Both questions have political and economic components with long term ramifications that go well beyond the healthcare debate.
The morality of “For profit healthcare” vs. “socialized healthcare” would depend on which system delivered the best healthcare for the largest number of people, at the most efficient cost. Since there is no “free lunch” arguing for socialized healthcare as being “non-profit” only tells us about the rhetoric being used, not the reality, since both have costs and no one is working for free.
I would suggest that speaking about these things as though they were issues of death vs. life, and therefore, a question of basic moral choices, or, good and evil, is a case of the theologian stepping beyond the bounds of theology and into the realm of the economist and political scientist.
No offense intended, you are among my favorite biblical scholars and obviously a man with a social conscience. But, if you’ve never really studied economics, politics or law, it would be little different than a banker arguing well outside his field of endeavor. Believe me, I’m guilty of doing exactly that, so, you’re not alone.
Here is a simple question; is there any example of a centralized or command economy producing a better product at a better price, I mean any product; the military, public schools, cars, food, housing, the internet, etc., than a free market economy? If you say “Healthcare” American healthcare is already substantially subsidized, including the prescription drug industry. It is the socialized aspect of American healthcare that drives the cost well beyond the rate of inflation, not market forces. Why? Because that is the net effect of all subsidies, they skewer markets and prices.
Both questions have political and economic components with long term ramifications that go well beyond the healthcare debate.
The morality of “For profit healthcare” vs. “socialized healthcare” would depend on which system delivered the best healthcare for the largest number of people, at the most efficient cost. Since there is no “free lunch” arguing for socialized healthcare as being “non-profit” only tells us about the rhetoric being used, not the reality, since both have costs and no one is working for free.
I would suggest that speaking about these things as though they were issues of death vs. life, and therefore, a question of basic moral choices, or, good and evil, is a case of the theologian stepping beyond the bounds of theology and into the realm of the economist and political scientist.
No offense intended, you are among my favorite biblical scholars and obviously a man with a social conscience. But, if you’ve never really studied economics, politics or law, it would be little different than a banker arguing well outside his field of endeavor. Believe me, I’m guilty of doing exactly that, so, you’re not alone.
Here is a simple question; is there any example of a centralized or command economy producing a better product at a better price, I mean any product; the military, public schools, cars, food, housing, the internet, etc., than a free market economy? If you say “Healthcare” American healthcare is already substantially subsidized, including the prescription drug industry. It is the socialized aspect of American healthcare that drives the cost well beyond the rate of inflation, not market forces. Why? Because that is the net effect of all subsidies, they skewer markets and prices.