title: [The right to health. Constitutional dimensions].
abstract: A fundamental "right to health" is expressly guaranteed by the constitutions of several Bundesländer, but unknown to the German Federal Constitution. Instead the Federal Constitutional Court has - especially on the basis of related human rights - developed the obligation of the State to protect everybody's life and physical integrity, which in some respects comes near to a "right to health". The State's autonomy in financial matters, the scarcity of its financial resources and the individual's natural responsibility for his own health though advise against exaggerated hopes set in a "right to health".
authors.affiliation: Freie Universität Berlin, Fachbereich Rechtswissenschaft, Institut für Staatslehre, Berlin, BRD. pestalozza@rewiss.fu-berlin.de
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pestalozza
mesh_terms: D003249:Constitution and Bylaws; D005858:Germany; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006806:Human Rights / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D028701:Patient Rights / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D040841:Resource Allocation / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D012941:Social Responsibility