PIH Advocates for Care, Not Coverage
Tell the U.N.: Stop Underfunding Universal Health Care
Partners In Health attended the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for universal health care strategies that truly fulfill our human right to health. But we're up against a powerful foe: Wealthy nations are lobbying to push through an underfunded, ineffective strategy.
On September 23rd, PIH Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joia Mukherjee walked out of a United Nations meeting to lead a protest in support of universal health care. Now it’s time to raise your voice in the fight for universal health care. Join the movement.
What is Universal Health Coverage?
There is growing momentum in the global community for so-called UHC, or universal health coverage. The World Health Organization defines it as all "promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative health services" that people need, at "sufficient quality to be effective," and that "does not expose the user to financial hardship."
Advocating for UHC is important because at least half of the world still lacks essential health services, and many people go broke--or worse--trying to secure them.
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Why Does PIH Prefer Care, Not Coverage?
PIH believes that health is a human right, and so we prefer to talk about universal health care--not coverage. This may seem like simple semantics, but it is so much more.
We believe that every single person has the right to comprehensive care for all their health needs, that this quality care must be publicly provided, and that the international community must provide significant and sustained funding to support this universal right. We also believe that care must serve the needs expressed by patients, not just abide by what is most convenient and least expensive for providers.
Universal health coverage, as it is often presented by special interest groups, equates to health insurance and the commodification of care. It is selective, only meeting some people’s health needs, some of the time.
PIH's vision of universal health care meets all people’s health needs, all of the time. Any effort to reduce the scope of health services or their quality is a diversion and counter to the very spirit of UHC set forth by the World Health Organization many decades ago.
What Can I Do?
Add your name to our petition and tell the U.N. General Assembly: Everyone has a right to health. Don't underfund universal health care!
Spread the word about #CareNotCoverage on social media. Show that you believe Health Care is a Human Right!