ABSTRACT
Most developed societies recognize a basic right of access to healthcare of appropriate quality. It can even be one of the most important achievements of pluralistic societies. This chapter aims to suggest the foundations for a universal human right to healthcare and to propose necessary tools such that access to healthcare is viable in a specific commonwealth in accordance with available resources.
To find this balance between an existing variable geometry and the actual level of resources of each specific commonwealth, we suggest compatibility between Daniels’ accountability for reasonableness and the World Health Organization’s integrated view of health through the equal opportunity function. The equal opportunity function can be an acceptable solution for the existing variable geometry because it allows for different levels of provisions and promotes an ethical rationing while respecting accountability for reasonableness.
The right to access healthcare is a fundamental humanitarian principle that can be enjoyed by all citizens of all countries; the international community should promote these ideals through any means available, namely through supranational governance arrangements.
