The nature of health care: commodification versus solidarity

The nature of health care: commodification versus solidarity

Hans-Ulrich Deppe

Abstract

Health and sickness are deeply rooted in the conditions of life, the conditions of work and the social relations of society. Health care is similarly socially embedded. And just as health or sickness are never purely individual matters, nor is health care. Dealing with the origins of sickness and caring for the sick are tasks for society. There is a collective and public dimension, which goes by the label of ‘health policy’. There are political issues which are more important, but in recent years, when almost all countries have been confronted by the processes of globalisation, deregulation and privatisation, health care has been high on the political agenda.  Elements of a universal healthcare system already exist in many countries, in developing countries as well as in the rich welfare states. The elements are not identical, because they have different histories. They confront different difficulties. They vary in what services are covered completely, covered partially, or not covered at all. But they all are based on different forms of solidarity. And it is from that -- from the meaning of solidarity -- that we have to see the future of health care. Solidarity was and is the alternative to neo-liberal commercialisation. Human health care is not possible without solidarity.