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Theological
Reflection
Finding
scriptural references that guide us in creating a health
care system is sometimes difficult. Most healing in the
Bible is miraculous which, while inspiring, is not much
help in creating a very human health policy. We must, therefore,
look more deeply. The directive to heal the sick permeates
the biblical record. In Matthew 10, Jesus sent his disciples
out first to heal the sick - then to spread the Gospel.
Taking
care of the health needs of all people becomes the predicate
to lifting up faith. Throughout the Bible, God directs that
the righteous mete out justice and fairness for all people,
and assuring health is a core concern. Jeremiah 8:22 asks,
"Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician
there? Why then has the health of my poor people not been
restored?" Isaiah 65:17-20, 23 says, "I will rejoice
in Jerusalem and delight in my people…No more shall
there be in it an infant that lives but a few days, or an
old person who does not live out a lifetime."
Healing
the sick is commanded without reservation. All faith traditions
share that commitment. The Interfaith Los Angeles Council
of Religious Leaders assert in their Theological Statement
on Health Care that "our traditions call us to protect
the well-being of every human life…health care must
be universal, continuous, affordable, sustainable (and)…ensure
health and well-being." While we tend to think of 'stewardship'
and 'care for creation' as pertaining to our environment,
these principles are essential to how we care for one another
as well.
We live
in a competitive market economy, but that cannot surpass
our call to be inclusive and compassionate to all. Healthy
people contribute to the wholeness of God's creation; health
is part of the Common Good. Assuring health is a shared
responsibility of individuals and of those who provide access
to health care. Health is a state of wholeness and completeness
for individuals and for society. It cannot exist for just
the few. It is part of what assures our humanity and part
of our greatest profession of faith.
Jesus
sent 70 of his followers into the country and said, "Whenever
you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is
set before you, cure the sick who are there, and say to
them, 'The realm of God has come near to you.'" (Luke
10, 1-20.)
Conclusion
During
the next two years, we will be offered a number of often-competing
policy choices around health care. We will no doubt be bombarded
with advertising and debates over each position, hear scare
stories and promises galore. We can all have a significant
role in shaping the decisions that will be made. We will
need to weigh each legislative and policy proposal against
the moral values of inclusiveness, full access, sustainability,
and affordability. We need to be committed to raising our
voice not just for specific policies but for the moral values
any given policy assures or betrays. Through our collective
advocacy, we speak not just for ourselves but for the well-being
of all our state's people. By standing on our time-honored
faith traditions and beliefs, we can raise the level of
discourse around our pending health care decisions and help
assure that those decisions are made, not for narrow self-interest
and gain, but in and for the best interests of all. Our
faith principles and values can be the highest test by which
we help our legislators and ourselves measure each policy
and each outcome.
Questions
1. Can
we have a truly moral health care system if some people
remain uninsured or underinsured?
2. Should everyone contribute a share to the cost of health
care coverage? If so, should it be 'progressive' based on
ability to pay, or a flat fee everyone must pay?
3. Proposals such as health savings accounts let people
set aside tax-free money ($5000 is the usual target) to
cover health costs. Is this an answer? Why or why not?
4. Is health care a right or a privilege? How do we reconcile
either position with our faith principles?
Resources
Being
the Good Samaritan: Health Access for All Californians.
The California Council of Churches congregational study
guide. Online
May be ordered from CCC by writing to us or calling
916.488.7300 ext. 3.
Background
readings in health from faith and secular sources.
Sermon
on universal health care from Rev. Jim Burklo.
Health
and Hope -A Study guide for Wisconsin Congregations.
Online
University
of Southern California Center for Religion and Civic Culture,
Theological Statements on Health Care
Faithful
Reform in Health Care. A national online movement to have
the faith voice present in all health care plans.
Faith
in Public Life: Health care resources.
Families
USA-Faith-based Resources. The pre-eminent national health
advocacy organization's faith links
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