Why Is Health Care
For Everyone A Christian Issue?
an invitation for study and reflection, and
advocacy and action using a paper Health Care – An Imperative,
and a study guide prepared by the Vermont Ecumenical Council
For Christians, the assertion that accessible, affordable, and equitable
health care for all is a moral imperative rooted in Scripture and
in our history. Health Care – An Imperative
Scripture tells us…
The Lord heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm
147:3
God.. executes justice for the oppressed; gives food to the hungry;
lifts up those who are bowed down (and) upholds the orphan and widow.
Psalm 146
What does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love
kindness… Micah 6:8
Jesus commands us to ‘heal the sick’ (Mt 10:8); commends
those who provide care (Mt. 25:31-40); urges Christians to share
in his ministry of healing and compassion (Mk. 6:12-13).
In James, the message is given that faith without
works is dead (James 2:14-17; 5:13-16).
For Christians, providing care for the sick is not
optional – it is an imperative of justice as well as charity.
Health Care – An Imperative
Churches historically have pioneered caring responses of hospitality,
health care and recovery, not just for Christians, but for the whole
society. The church has never sought to take over this responsibility
in society, but rather to encourage the whole society to be responsible
for the health of all.
Health Care – An Imperative
The need for affordable, accessible, equitable health
care is clear…
- 15% nationally and 10% in Vermont are without
insurance.
- The United States spends twice as the average
per capita amount for health care of all industrialized nations.
Vermont costs were 2.9 billion in 2003; in a state of over 600,000
people this is nearly $5,000 per person.
- This spending has not brought the best results
in health care outcomes such as length of life. American women
are 20th out of 29th in health care outcomes.
- We currently charge the most for health care services
to people who are uninsured. When they cannot pay, the cost is
shifted to the insured.
- There has been no control over the fastest growing
cost – pharmaceutical drugs.
- The employer-based health care benefit system
is in crisis.
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