Matters 5

Health and Human Services: there is no leap from safety of person and property to a governing role in providing and ensuring access to health and human services. All sorts of these services include: healthcare and clinics, hospitals and nursing facilities, research on causes and treatments for illness and injury, manufacture, distribution, research and invention of pharmaceuticals need in healthcare overall; accessibility to adequate shelter, food and nutrition, and clothing. All these things are considered basic components of living standards.

It can and should be argued at what standard these services are guaranteed by government, but the basic nature of their presence and accessibility cannot be argued because without these services life and property would not exist or survive.

When a child is born, the first service provided is healthcare. The act of birth requires that service. Even in a remote location, a family member or friend is present to assist the mother in giving birth. Yes, there are plenty of people who have not had this assistance in very remote situations, but their survivability was always a clear and present danger.

Moments after birth, the baby is hugged, held and kept warm. Cleanliness and clothing (swathing) fare instantly provided. Then nutrients via mother’s milk. Swathing, cradling and shelter provide immediate nurture thereafter. As the child grows and matures, other elements are called into being, the most sophisticated of these being health research and treatment developments. These are all focused on long term survivability of the people. Of course this extends to pharmaceuticals. Healthcare clinics, hospitals and nursing facilities are created along this path.

Providing these services, making certain they exist for the long-term survival of its population, is a central concern for government. Without this, there is little need for defense of person or property. It is a natural extension of the role of government. Accessibility to these services is a key measure of government performance.

Medicare is a public owned insurance program that insures all premium payers' coverage. The program is operated by the federal government and includes paid private firms and consultants to provide efficient operations. The same is true for Medicaid but it has no premiums. It is a federal program that provides help in paying individual’s health expenses when low-income conditions are met by each person. It is an auxiliary form of health and human services assistance paid for by all taxpayers. This ensures equal access to health benefits available to those who otherwise pay for it via Medicare or private means.

September 12, 2025

 

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