REDEFINING HEALTH CARE ACCESS
In the health capability paradigm, all individuals are of central moral concern. The justness of a society is determined by its ability to foster the freedom to be healthy, enhance health capability and promote a level of optimal health agency and functioning for all individuals. By evaluating individual health needs, health agency, and health norms, the paradigm values a needs-based approach, where health care services must be medically necessary and medically appropriate.
The paradigm redefines equitable access to ensure conditions that support health capability, health functioning and health agency for all individuals. Equitable access promotes an individual’s ability to live a healthier life and pursue the health goals they value. This means high quality evidence-based health care resources must be available for everyone. In addition, society must develop and promote individuals’ and groups’ health agency.
Equitable access to health care resources not only emphasizes health care quality and health agency, but it also promotes positive health norms. For example, college students may assume drinking alcohol is acceptable if they falsely believe most college students drink. Reducing these unhealthy drinking behaviors require institutions promoting scientifically grounded knowledge about the risk of alcohol use during adolescence and early adulthood. This will help individuals develop the attitudes and abilities to prevent alcohol abuse and addiction and promote health. While individuals with autism must have access to high-quality care and resources to develop their health agency, positive norms are critical to ensuring their societal inclusion and access to health care resources.
