Health Care Reform
Thursday, September 3, 2009 at 10:27PM I've been exchanging e-mails for the past two weeks with a couple members who are interested in health care reform. I also had some casual conversations about health care reform with some people after worship one Sunday not long ago.
I'm no expert on health care. I'm not a doctor, and I don't pretend to be one on tv. I haven't had much time lately to even read the newspaper or watch news shows. So, when the issue of health care reform as it pertains to the church came to my attention, I felt woefully inadequate to address the subject. About the only thing I could say was, "I know Jesus healed everyone, not just those with the right insurance."
But then I read the scriptures for this Sunday. (You can find them here.) And I found myself back-pedalling. Because in the story from Mark, Jesus doesn't want to heal the woman's daughter.
So I started thinking about this story in light of the debate about health care. As people of faith, what are we called to do (if anything)? Do we/should we have a voice? What should that voice be? Is it possible to have a voice amidst the shouting matches? What do the scriptures call us to do?
These are lots of questions, but what do you think? I'm going to try to sort out my thoughts so I can present a coherent message on Sunday. What about you? What are your thoughts?
Annie
Reader Comments (11)
T think everyone should have a Health Care plan like Pres. Obama and Congress have. Would they want a plan for themselves like the one they they're proposing to the American people?
I also think the Pres. and the Congress should read the bills they're so eager to put into law.. That would be a refreshing indeed! :).
Deanna Hansen
Deanna, my guess is there are a lot of people who agree with your thoughts. I'm going to gess that Congress and Obama's healthcare plan is a good one, too!
I think healthcare is a right, not a privilege......I rank healthcare right up there with police, fire protection and the public school system. When you look at the average hospital bill, you can't help but think there is waste. Some basic form of healthcare that includes anyone that wants it should be available. There are too many working people that can't get affordable insurance due to pre-existing conditions. It would be great if the politicians could work together on this one. Some of the scare tactics such as the "Obama Death Squad" would be laughable if there were not those that truly believe such things! Looking forward to your thoughts on this one Annie.
I don't believe the issue at hand is the health insurance plan that President Obama and Congress have inherited, which has been in place for many years. If we reverse the perspective to the other end of the insurance spectrum to those millions who cannot afford health insurance, I believe we come closer to the issue at hand. Why is it that a person without insurance is charged the full cost of a medical procedure while an insured person's rate is less for the same procedure? Why is it acceptable in this country that someone with a serious health problem may risk loosing his/her life savings because he/she can't afford health insurance? Why is the life expectancy in this country less than that of those in countries that offer government sponsored health care? We're not talking about socialized medicine but legistlation that puts people and their doctors in control of their health care and not the insurance companies.
I also believe healthcare ought to be a right - though it is not that at this time. As a society we state we value certain things, and we pay for them. All our children need an education, and we ensure that happens. We decided to offer insurance to our seniors through medicare, and we pay for that. We are paying for healthcare now - though most people don't realize the extent of the cost - and we do so inefficiently. I believe the reason more Americans are not behind this plan with their full hearts and voices is because they have insurance now, and do not know what would happen with a severe illness. Since most of us, luckily, do not get severely ill; most have not experienced discriminatory treatment by insurance. Also many people do not realize how it would be hard or impossible to obtain insurance privately if they have a history of even minor health problems.
Thanks everyone for your very insightful comments. I am still putting the finishing touches on my sermon. As a basic consumer of healthcare, my knowledge is limited. But I'd say that from a theological perspectove, yes-healthcare is a right. Check out www.faithfulreform.org At its July meeting the Session voted to support this orgzanization. I think you'd find their vision compelling.
I am upset at the disrespect that is directed at our president; now theyre even questioning his motives in wanting to speak to school children about the importance of staying in school, implying their parents should be with them when he delivers his message. Are there parents with them when they see the rot on TV and the internet?
The vitriolic screaming at town hall meetings is not really a reaction to proposals on health care reform. It is a chance to unload the outrage that's built up against ther failure of our economy and the failure of the SEC to have taken preventative measures.
The acting out at politicians at these meetings stifles any inclination of the faint at heart to have a thoughtful exchange of opinion, seeking a rational resolution..
I am concerned about health care and our ability as a nation to provide an adequate level of care for all our citizens. I thought Annie's words today at the Old Meeting House were well spoken and challenged us all to evaluate our position on this issue and work for a system that is fair and provides for the needs of our people. I will post an article published recently in the New York Times Magazine section about an American's experience with healthcare in France. It was very informative and helped me gain some perspective on the approach used by other nations.
I have been unable to post the story about an American's experience with the healthcare system in France. I will send it to Annie as a JEG file. If you are interested in receiving a copy just send me your email address : ridleywp@mindspring.com . The story fits into NY Times magazine personal essay category.
Hi Everyone-Thanks for all of the feedback about healthcare. The comments helped me when writing my sermon. I really appreciate the back and forth conversation that we can have. Here is a link to Will's article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/16/magazine/16lives-t.html
Check it out. The healthcare debate isn't going to go away any time soon, nor should it. If you weren't at church onSunday, I'll get my sermon posted on the "sermons" page. Thanks again.
Here's another interesting article from the Minnesota Star Tribune written from the perspective of a critical care nurse. I found it especially interesting because one of the patients she describes has the rare disease that I have, amyloidosis. Such dramatically different end of life scenarios! Can we keep the fear mongers at bay long enough to help people realize the grace and peace of the second story only comes from thoughtful planning? There's no government intervention, no Death Squads and none proposed. Just patient, family and medical team talking, exploring options, discussing the situation and sometimes praying together to arrive at the plan.
http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentary/58662962.html?page=2&c=y