Earlier this week at the Presidential Debate it was asked of candidates Senator Obama and Senator McCain whether they believed that access to healthcare was a responsibility, right, or privilege. McCain answered that it was a responsibility, while Obama stated it was right.

I believe McCain was more correct, even if I disagree with his policy positions on health care.

A right is something that government can not take away. It is something does not inherently cost something, although fully utilizing it may occur a cost. A right exists until somebody acts to take it way.

On the other hand, a so-called economic right such as healthcare, safe and efficient infrastructure, and education, is a responsibility of a modern country like ours. Government should ensure that people have access to healthcare, because it's essential for functioning in a modern society.

We as a society do not openly accept people dying or being permanently injured from a medical condition that science has taught us how to remedity. We already have laws ensuring that hospitals have the obligation to provide emergency care, regardless of ability to pay. That's not a right, but an entitlement.

As a society, we have a moral obligation to improve our healthcare system and make sure all has access to basic emergency care that would be otherwise unaffordable. It's not that people have a inheritant right to healthcare, it's that we believe it to be the correct thing for government to ensure access to it.

Healthcare is a budgetary consideration like all others. It's an essential one, not unlike providing for education or roads. Our economy depends on people being of good health, and indeed one of the reasons for a lack of fludicity in the job market and big disincentive for small businesses is the lack of healthcare coverage for individuals or small businesses. We have to do better.

It's an important one for sure. But healthcare can't be the only thing government is concerned with fixing.