A system whose costs are out of control, and a growing national deficit that the health care system heavily contributes. Unmistakably, the United States health care system is grossly incompetent in providing the public with a standard level of care, and reforms must be taken to contain the swelling costs. Economic efficiency and sociopolitical rights consistently clash in a capitalist democracy, and this tension is prevalent in the health care system. A basic economic concern is whether health care is like any other commodity. However, there are certain symbolic elements of health care that cannot be easily measured.
Cultures have fundamental beliefs that encompass the valuation of life and health.
Bearing this in mind, it would only seem realistic that there is some sort of right to health care. Nowhere in the American Constitution is it stated that an individual has the right to some basic set of health care services, however, there are certain undefined responsibilities the government has. It can be argued that the Declaration of Independence supports the right for each and every citizen to have the basic care needed to sustain life so as to exercise one's liberty and to allow the pursuit of happiness.