Michael Walzer’s Equality in the Context for the Undocumented in Healthcare

Abstract

Tania Martinez applies Michael Walzer’s theory of equality to the real-world challenges faced by undocumented immigrants seeking healthcare in the United States. Drawing from Walzer’s argument that money should remain within its own “sphere of wealth” and not dictate access to social goods like healthcare, the essay explores how economic status unjustly shapes medical accessibility. Despite reforms like the Affordable Care Act, Martinez highlights how undocumented immigrants remain excluded from meaningful coverage due to federal restrictions, systemic fear, and the erosion of protections. Arguing that healthcare should be distributed by need rather than citizenship or economic standing, Martinez critiques both the moral and structural inequalities that continue to marginalize immigrant populations. She concludes that true liberty cannot exist without equality, reinforcing Walzer’s claim that a just society must ensure fair access to essential services.