The Ethical Healthpreneur

   Universal Basic Income: <strike>A Revolutionary Pipe Dream</strike> Universal Basic Income: A Revolutionary Step Towards Human Rights Pipe Dream Introduction In the ever-evolving landscape of human rights, one concept has recently taken center stage: Universal Basic Income (UBI). The idea of providing every citizen with a guaranteed income, irrespective of their employment status or wealth, is not just an economic proposition, but a radical reimagining of our societal contract. This article explores UBI as a human right, and how its implementation could provoke thought, challenge norms, and redefine our understanding of equality and freedom. Universal Basic Income: A Primer Universal Basic Income (UBI) is a government program where every citizen receives a set amount of money on a regular basis. The key principle is universality: everyone gets it, rich or poor, employed or unemployed. The goal is to provide a basic safety net, ensuring everyone can meet th

Healthcare is a fundamental human right, but it also comes with a cost. How we pay for it, and who pays for it, are some of the most contentious and complex issues in our society. What is the connection between health care and taxes? In the United States, health care and taxes are closely intertwined. Depending on your income, health insurance status, and tax filing situation, you may be eligible for tax credits, deductions, exemptions, or penalties related to your health coverage. For example, if you buy a health plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace, you may qualify for a premium tax credit that lowers your monthly payments. This credit is based on your estimated household income for the year, which you report on your tax return. If your actual income is different from your estimate, you may have to pay back some or all of the credit, or you may get a refund. On the other hand, if you have health insurance through your employer or another source, you may be able

Beauty as a Human Right: What Can America Learn from Brazil? "In a world where beauty is often seen as a luxury, Brazil has dared to deem it a right." Imagine a nation where the government foots the bill for your plastic surgery, where cosmetic enhancements like nose jobs, breast augmentations, or liposuctions are accessible either for free or at a nominal cost. Envision a society where beauty is not just a privilege but a fundamental human right, where you are empowered to alter your appearance to align with your inner desires and expectations. Picture a place where the pursuit of beauty is so intertwined with social and economic success that individuals are willing to brave risks and endure pain to attain it. This is not a figment of imagination, nor a dystopian reality. It's Brazil, the world's second-largest market for plastic surgery, with an astounding 1.2 million procedures performed annually. In this South American country, the government subsidizes ne

The Last Right:  A Human Right to Die with Dignity and Autonomy by John Jolissaint We often hear that pain is temporary, that time heals all wounds, that things will get better eventually. But what if they don’t? What if the pain is chronic, the wounds are deep, the things are broken beyond repair? What if we have to live with the pain, not just for a while, but for the rest of our lives? Is that a fate worse than death, or is there a way to find meaning and purpose in our suffering? Imagine that you are diagnosed with a terminal illness that causes you unbearable pain and suffering, and that there is no cure or treatment that can improve your condition or prolong your life. For many people who are in this situation, the answer is clear: they would want to end their lives peacefully and comfortably, on their own terms and timing, with the help of a doctor who respects their wishes and values. They would want to exercise their human right to die with dignity and autonomy. Euthanasia , a

Debt traps: situations where people borrow more money than they can afford to repay, leading to a cycle of debt that is hard to escape. 

  5 of 40 I really hate this topic. Sorry.  Mandatory health measures in healthcare are interventions that require individuals or groups to comply with certain actions or behaviors for the purpose of protecting or improving public health.  Examples include vaccination, screening, quarantine, isolation, and mask-wearing.  While these measures are effective in preventing disease spread, they also raise ethical questions.  Balancing public health benefits with individual autonomy, ensuring necessity and fairness, addressing potential harms, and engaging with affected communities are key ethical considerations.  Recommendations include assessing ethical implications, involving affected communities, and monitoring outcomes.  By following ethical principles and recommendations, policymakers, researchers, and practitioners can promote justified and acceptable mandatory health measures that respect individual rights, foster trust, and enhance population health. Thank fuck that's over. - JJ

4 of 40 How Out-of-Pocket Costs Affect Your Health and Wallet: A Guide for Consumers and Policymakers If you have ever received a medical bill that was higher than you expected, or had to choose between paying for your health care or your other expenses, you know how stressful and frustrating out-of-pocket costs can be. Out-of-pocket costs are the amount of money you pay for your health care that is not covered or reimbursed by your insurance plan . They can include deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and other services that are not covered by your plan. Out-of-pocket costs can have a big impact on your health and well-being. They can affect how much you spend on your health care, how often you use health care services, and how satisfied you are with your health care. They can also affect the quality and outcomes of your health care, as well as the health and finances of your family and community. In this blog post, I will explai n what out-of-pocket costs are, why they matter, an

Healthcare,  a term that can evoke a spectrum of emotions. For some, it's a lifeline, a beacon of hope.  For myself, it's a labyrinth of bureaucracy, a relentless financial leviathan that seems to grow with each passing year. Regardless of your perspective, one thing is indisputable: healthcare is a universal concern , a subject that touches every life. It's a subject that's primed for a robust, thought-provoking debate. So, shall we start? I. Universal Healthcare Social Justice or Government Overreach? On one side of the divide, it's hailed as a vehicle for social justice, a means to guarantee that every citizen, irrespective of their socioeconomic standing, has access to the healthcare they require. A case in point is India's Chhattisgarh State, where the roll-out of a universal National Health Insurance Scheme in 2012 led to a surge in hospital utilization and a decrease in out-of-pocket expenditure , particularly benefiting women, rural dwellers, and econom