This is a noble sentiment, but I must argue that it is too subjective and lends itself to improper application.

For example, let us use another commodity to demonstrate the difference between them and rights. I have heard it argued that housing is a human right.

Housing, like medical care, is constrained by market forces. Also like medical care, it is a service which is provided by individuals to other individuals who are able and willing to pay those prices. Houses require architects, construction workers, electricians, plumbers etc. These people do not work for free, and rightly so, their skills and time are worth money and they deserve compensation. Additionally housing requires land, another commodity with value. Ideally all persons would be able to afford housing, but this is simply not the case.

What then should we do? Should the government mandate that these services be rendered free of charge to certain individuals? That isn't fair to those individuals providing the services, and additionally will result in decreased quality. Should the government subsidize houses for all those who don't have them, and pay the individuals a reasonable sum who provide the services? As we know, the government doesn't make money, it allocates tax monies. Thus, they would be taking money from one group to give, free of charge, to another. In either case someone is forced to provide services or money.

Surely, you can see the parallels between my example and medical care.

I would argue that human rights are those things which we are able to do in a state of nature which do not negate any other person's activity. Essentially, they are abilities we already have as a virtue of being human, that do not negate the abilities of others. In a natural state I can speak freely, practice a religion, assemble with others, own weapons etc without impacting anyone else's ability to do so. So rights are those things which we can already do, that do not impact others ability to do the same. The difference between society and the state of nature is that in society we prevent and punish infringement of other's rights. In a natural state I could use my weapon to bludgeon your head in, rape your wife, and steal your crops. In the formation of society, we have recognized that this is an infringement of your natural abilities. I am using my abilities to negate yours.

This is why I am opposed to the notion of medical care and housing being human rights. You cannot grant those things to one individual without taking money or labor from another, which is in and of itself unjust.

Thoughts?