Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

I don't think your hypothetical qualifies as basic health care.

And there is the problem. Someone has to make this judgment call. It's all a matter of opinion. And it changes over time, there's no single objective answer. Today, "take this Z-pack and keep the wound clean and dry" is a completely ordinary treatment; a century ago it was sci-fi, that wasn't even available to the hyper-rich. When does it cross the lines from experimental to esoteric to mundane?

by the way, many rights are regulated by laws created by politicians

That's only sort of true, at least in the USA. If something is understood to be a right, then those regulations are limited to only what can clear various tests as defined by the courts. Enumerated rights like speech, for example, are protected by a strict scrutiny test; at the other end of the spectrum is the rational basis test.

But in the end, these are actually judged by the courts. In other words, it's ultimately the non-political branch of the government that makes the call.

By contrast, these positive rights are entirely driven by political caprice.

(Caveat: I'm referring to Federal regulation here. It may vary somewhat state-to-state, because of how state Constitutions are designed.)




You seem to have ignored my central point. I think this has been an interesting discussion, and I'd be interested in your response.




Consider applying for YC's Fall 2025 batch! Applications are open till Aug 4

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: