Health Care Debate: A Christian Perspective

Hi All, I'm back tonight with some thoughts about the health care debate and wanted to look at it from a Christian perspective. If you're reading this and are not Christian, fret not, because I think there something in this for everyone, regardless of religion. A couple of days ago, I came across a statement on the Sojourner's website. You can find it here at: http://go.sojo.net/campaign/health_care and I have also posted a copy here:

As one of God's children, I believe that protecting the health of each human being is a profoundly important personal and communal responsibility for people of faith.

I believe God created each person in the divine image to be spiritually and physically healthy. I feel the pain of sickness and disease in our broken world (Genesis 1:27, Romans 8:22).

I believe life and healing are core tenets of the Christian life. Christ's ministry included physical healing, and we are called to participate in God's new creation as instruments of healing and redemption (Matthew 4:23, Luke 9:1-6; Mark 7:32-35, Acts 10:38). Our nation should strive to ensure all people have access to life-giving treatments and care.

I believe, as taught by the Hebrew prophets and Jesus, that the measure of a society is seen in how it treats the most vulnerable. The current discussion about health-care reform is important for the United States to move toward a more just system of providing care to all people (Isaiah 1:16-17, Jeremiah 7:5-7, Matthew 25:31-45).

I believe that all people have a moral obligation to tell the truth. To serve the common good of our entire nation, all parties debating reform should tell the truth and refrain from distorting facts or using fear-based messaging (Leviticus 19:11; Ephesians 4:14-15, 25; Proverbs 6:16-19).

I believe that Christians should seek to bring health and well-being (shalom) to the society into which God has placed us, for a healthy society benefits all members (Jeremiah 29:7).

I believe in a time when all will live long and healthy lives, from infancy to old age (Isaiah 65:20), and "mourning and crying and pain will be no more" (Revelation 21:4). My heart breaks for my brothers and sisters who watch their loved ones suffer, or who suffer themselves, because they cannot afford a trip to the doctor. I stand with them in their suffering.

I believe health-care reform must rest on a foundation of values that affirm each and every life as a sacred gift from the Creator (Genesis 2:7).

That sums it up pretty well from a Christian perspective. If you would like to sign this creed or send it to your congress person, please go to the Health Care section of Sojourners website.

For those of you reading this that are not Christian, I would ask that you consider the issues surrounding health care with caring and compassion and love.

For all of us, the health care debate can be approached either from a fiscal perspective or a moral perspective. When it comes to this issue, I favor the moral perspective. Frankly, I don't care if insuring that our poor translates to more money out of my pocket. I can't imagine thinking to myself that having more money in my pocket or bank account or 401K is better than providing for the healing and medical care of someone in need.

I'm still reading through HR3200 , so I don't yet know if this is the right answer, but I do know one thing, I will support Health Care reform to insure that every single American is covered. It's time for us to take care of each other.

Please feel free to post comments.