title: The fundamental law that shapes the United States health care system: is universal health care realistic within the established paradigm?
abstract: In this article, the author draws from his own experience as a doctor in describing the issues the uninsured patient population faces. Pointing out that neither the U.S. Constitution nor case law provides a positive right to health care, the author describes the parameters of federal health care funding and ultimately concludes that universal health care cannot be fully achieved in the U.S.
authors.affiliation: Loyola University of Chicago School of Law, USA.
authors.forename: William P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Gunnar
mesh_terms: D000385:Aid to Families with Dependent Children; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006806:Human Rights / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D008484:Medicaid; D017057:Medically Uninsured; D011057:Politics; D035521:Supreme Court Decisions; D019464:Tax Exemption; D017664:Uncompensated Care; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D019472:Universal Health Insurance / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*