Thousands join faith-based call on health care
By Kathy L. Gilbert*
August 20, 2009
Three United Methodist pastors joined other religious leaders and President Obama in a national conference call on faith-based health care reform that attracted more than 140,000 listeners Aug. 19.
The call launched a “40 Days for Health Reform” campaign to ask people of faith to press Congress to finish work on a health plan when lawmakers return after the Labor Day recess. The United Methodist Boards of Church and Society and Global Ministries were among the more than 30 religious denominations and organizations that sponsored the call.
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The Rev. Adam Hamilton will
hold a health care forum at his church on Aug. 25. A UMNS
photo by Kathy L. Gilbert.
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President Obama asked people of faith to “spread the facts and speak the truth” about his proposed health care reform. He said some folks are “bearing false witness” about what the reform will mean.
“I know we have thousands on this call from many different denominations and faiths but the one thing you all share is a moral conviction, you know that this debate over health care goes to the heart of who we are as a people,” the president said. “I believe no one in America should be denied basic health care because he or she lacks health insurance. And no one in American should be pushed to the edge of ruin because an insurance company denies them coverage or drops their coverage.”
The United Methodist Church states in the Book of Discipline, which sets forth the laws and beliefs of the denomination, that it is a “governmental responsibility to provide all citizens with health care.”
Yet like other Americans in the national debate, many United Methodists struggle with how best to provide basic, affordable health care.
Some United Methodists are concerned that reform proposals may end up worsening U.S. health care, or restricting religious freedom on ethically objectionable practices. Others contend some church officials are exceeding their authority by backing specific plans.
“Neither my husband nor I is obviously for the health care bill as it is proposed. It is really a test of faith when the church you love takes a stand against you,” said Lana Hennen of Harleton (Texas) United Methodist Church.
In the conference call, Katie Paris, from Faith in Public Life, said a recent survey of 1,500 families indicated 25 percent of the respondents said they had to delay or avoid health care because the cost was too great.
The Rev. Cory Sparks, pastor of Faith United Methodist Church in Lafayette, La., said, “With comprehensive health care reform we can address many of these injustices.”
Sparks pointed out four changes he considers crucial in the president’s plan to provide better care for all.
“First, insurance companies will not be able to discriminate against people for getting sick, no more denying people coverage for pre-existing conditions, jacking up rates when people become sick or forcing folks to pay way more than they can afford for the care they need,” he said.
Health care coverage will be available for people losing or changing jobs and subsidies would help pay for private or public insurance. Small business will get tax credits to buy health coverage and not be charged higher rates than larger companies and the cost of health care would be controlled by paying doctors and hospitals for improving the quality of their service under the president’s plan, Sparks said.
The Rev. Adam Hamilton, pastor of United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kan., told listeners about a forum on health care that will be held at his church Aug. 25. The forum is designed to help congregations understand the health care issue from a variety of perspectives.
The Rev. Stephen Copley, a pastor appointed to Justice for Our Neighbors in the Arkansas Annual (regional) Conference, talked about being part of a faith coalition that has hosted staff members of congressional offices, sent postcards to Congress and held local prayer vigils.
*Gilbert is a news writer for United Methodist News Service in Nashville, Tenn.
News media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
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