Health as a Right, Not a Privilege or Achievement

Sor Juana's intellect was extraordinary, yet she argued that intellectual pursuits were rights belonging to all humans, not privileges reserved for the exceptional or the wealthy. This principle applies directly to health: healthcare is a human right, not a luxury good or status symbol. Yet current systems condition health access on employment, insurance, income, and ability to navigate bureaucratic systems—creating a moral crisis where people die from treatable conditions due to poverty. Healthcare justice, following Sor Juana's vision of universal human dignity, demands that all people have unconditional access to care. This includes preventive care, treatment, mental health services, reproductive healthcare, and support for disability and chronic conditions. It means healthcare free at point of service, regardless of ability to pay. Health is not something people must earn through productivity or virtue; it's a basic requirement for living with dignity. Systems grounded in this principle redirect resources away from profit and toward universal access, ensuring that healthcare serves communities rather than enriching shareholders. This reflects Sor Juana's vision: defending the rights and dignity of all human beings.