Devout Democrats

By Michael Carmichael

Devout Democrats is taking a leading role in linking the moral crisis in health care to a spiritual crisis that must be confronted now – in real time – while the Congress debates the legislation that will shape health care for the next generation of Americans.

The Spiritual Crisis in American Healthcare

The stories are familiar ones.

* The retiree fighting leukemia

* The neighbor who was diagnosed with cancer

* The relative who suffered severe injuries in a car crash

* The young professional who needed a heart transplant

The common theme of all these American stories is simply that none of the victims had adequate health insurance – because

* Premiums are too high

* Coverage is too narrow and

* Co-pays and deductibles are astronomical

Everyone on Earth knows that the United States of America has the world’s largest national economy, and we are the richest nation in world history. The financial success of American business, trade and commerce is iconic, but the reality is that America is the only advanced nation on Earth that does not provide universal health care to its hard-working, tax-paying citizens.

All of the citizens of other advanced nations in Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Asia and Africa enjoy a luxury that US citizens live without — national health services that provide medicine, drugs and health care as a basic human right.

The faith-based community in America frequently leaps onto the front pages and the television networks to decry the decline in American values, but when it comes to the fact that America health care is now ranked only 37th in the world by the World Health Organization (WHO) there has been a tsunami silence from our pulpits.

It is a well-documented fact that Americans live shorter lives than citizens of other nations. Now ranked only 42nd in the world for longevity by the US Census Bureau, American citizens are paying the heaviest prices on earth for their rapidly declining system of health care.

At the same time, profits of American pharmaceutical and health care corporations are skyrocketing. While prescriptions cost the equivalent of $10-20 in other advanced nations, it is not uncommon for Americans to pay $500-1000 per month – or more — for prescription drugs manufactured by Big Pharma.

It is well known that health insurance in America is the most expensive in the world by a very wide margin. The corporate profits of American health insurers are now a cause of grave national concern and a rising tide of moral outrage.

The citizens of other nations view the American healthcare-for-corporate-profit system as immoral, unacceptable and incomprehensible.

Devout Democrats is taking a leading role in linking the moral crisis in health care to a spiritual crisis that must be confronted now – in real time – while the Congress debates the legislation that will shape health care for the next generation of Americans.

By Rollin Russell

The noisy detractors who rail against health care reform and their Congressional Republican cheer leaders are the same folks who feign pious faith and ethical superiority. Maybe they should listen to the authentic religious voices on faith and ethics.

Historic Christian denominations which represent tens of millions of Americans have made strong statements during this year as the debate on health care reform continues. The Presbyterian Church (U. S. A.), in its 218th General Assembly, declared its commitment to the following principles:

Universally Accessible: We believe that all people possess inherent worth as children of God, and that God’s promise extends to all. Health coverage in the United States must be available to all persons, regardless of income, race or ethnicity, geography, age, gender, employment status or health status.

Affordable: Too often in the U. S., health care is available to those who can afford to pay for it, rather than on the basis of illness or need. We believe that it is our responsibility as a society to ensure that all persons, regardless of their financial situation, have access to the care they need to live healthy, productive lives . (For the full statement, go to Presbyterian.typepad.com/peacemaking and follow the links on health care)

The Council of Catholic Bishops speaks to and for Roman Catholics in America. Its statement includes the critical observation:

We look at health care reform from the bottom up, how it touches the unserved and underserved. Genuine health care reform must especially focus on the basic health needs of the poor. When there is a question of allocating scarce resources, the vulnerable and the poor have a compelling claim to first consideration. (For this and other statements go to: www.usccb.org and follow links to health care.)

“The health care system in the United States is in need of serious systemic change. We call for legislation that will provide universal access to quality health care with effective cost controls. . . . The United Methodist Church continues to declare its commitment to quality and affordable health care as a right of all people.” (For the full statement, go to: archives.umc.org and follow links on health care.)

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America states, “As members of the ELCA and as a corporate body, we support:

* Equitable access for all people to basic health care services and to the benefits of public health efforts; God continues to call the Church – its institutions and believers – to work in society for individual and collective actions that promote health and ensure care for those who suffer.” (For the full statement, go to elca.org/social issues/social statements/health care)

The Episcopal Church, at its 76th General Convention, passed Resolution CO71 in support of universal access to quality, affordable health care in the United States and calling on Congress to pass comprehensive health care reform. A spokesperson stated:
“Everyone including the insurers and corporations is very aware that the rising cost of health insurance is unsustainable and that something has to be done to deal with the rising costs, provide coverage and take a stab at doing preventive and wellness care.” (For the full statement, go to Episcopalchurch.org and follow links to health care.)

Why do Republicans, who so often posture as deeply religious, not consult those who really are on this issue?

by Bob Seymour

A reporter interviewed Ted Kennedy shortly before his death and asked how he had become such a passionate advocate in behalf of America’s poor. Appearing somewhat shocked by the question, Kennedy replied, “Have you never read the New Testament?”

The same question might appropriately be asked of those on the Christian Right who are so vehemently opposed to healthcare reform. A major aspect of the ministry of Jesus was healing the sick. Throughout the Gospels, there are many occasions reported of his reaching out to those who were ill. Indeed, it can be persuasively argued that healing the sick was a top priority in the life of Jesus, just as significant as his reputation as an extraordinary teacher.

Early in the Gospel of Matthew in chapter 4:23-24, is the following account: “And he went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the Kingdom and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people. So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them.”

Also, a recurring theme in the teaching of Jesus was that his disciples should be compassionate. One of the church’s favorite parables is the story of the Good Samaritan who found a man in the ditch by the roadway, one who had been seriously injured. The Samaritan cared for him as best he could and then took him to a nearby hospice and offered to pay the full cost for his recuperation to normal health.

This story is relevant to the current controversy about whether a healthcare bill should include caring for immigrants who live in our midst illegally. Again, voices from the Christian right are adamant that we refrain from offering illegal’s any assistance when they are ill, that in effect, we should “walk by on the other side” and leave them in the ditch. How could any compassionate Christian person be so insensitive to another human being, irrespective of the ill person’s origin or legal status?

The Bible further mandates that we be “our brother’s keeper.” Surely this means that we should be advocates for the forty-five million sisters and brothers in America who cannot afford the high cost of medical attention. A willingness to perpetuate the status quo is a major moral issue that needs a human face. Statistics are likely to make people blind to suffering individuals and to those who face bankruptcy because of their inability to pay medical bills.

Finally, just before Matthew closes his account of the events that led to the death of Jesus, he paints a symbolic picture of the Last Judgment where a King says to some, “Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you…” In the list of those who will be welcomed are the ones who visited the sick. And the King concludes by saying, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these…you did it to me.”

There is absolutely no justification in Scripture for any believer in Jesus to neglect the sick.