Week 3 Response

Question 1

As an advocate for our patients and family members, how would you incorporate human rights into future health care policy?

Participation of human rights advocates in the health policy initiatives is essential in the creation of compelling and coercive pressure capable of stimulating political support for the inclusion of human rights in health policies (Gable & Mason, 2013). I understand that human rights encourage a distinctive moral dimension into the objectives of health policy, one capable of responding to the plight of victims of injustice all over America and around the world. Therefore, I believe that the state should make human rights enforceable legal entitlements. As a health advocate for patients and families, I would begin by seeking legal redress for health violations rather than remaining a passive recipient to the global health organizations. Such an individual cause of action will provide rights-based accountability in the national courts and other bodies within the country. Additionally, it will empower other advocates to raise human rights claims for health. Secondly, I would “challenge proposals that may put the human rights of particular groups or individuals at risk” (Gruskin, Bogecho & Ferguson, 2010, p.15). Thirdly, I would develop a proposal for a human rights strategy for my organization where I will identify the risks, opportunities, and priorities that will enable the organization to achieve its vision and integrate these rights to their management systems. This course of action will ensure that my organization would be prepared to implement the changes that are made in future health policies (Gable & Mason, 2013).

Offer and Support an Alternative Perspective From Colleague’s Posting

I agree with the point that developing a plan of how patients with lower income levels suffering from long-term diseases would obtain health care coverage is a way of incorporating human rights to future policies. I wish to offer a broader perspective to this point as I think it only covers only policies related to health insurance. What if advocates developed proposals and plans that would not only help patients with lower income levels and long-term diseases but all patients who might have undergone health violations even those who do not report. I am aware that it may seem difficult to identify patients who do not report health violations, but what if a system was laid in place that begins to train health professionals and advocates on human rights when they are still in school. I think that training of medical professionals on human rights would help identify violated patients who do not report such incidences. When we have all cases brought to the table in time, I am confident that legislators will see the reason for incorporating human rights into health policies. These are merely my thoughts.