Inclusive and Available Health Care

Editor's Note: This is an expanded article published in the Spire in late September 2009.

Embedded in the Global Board of Church and Society principles for a just health care system—especially “inclusive” and “available”—is a commitment to the universal availability of insurance and care.

Young adults (40% of uninsured), the working poor (66% of uninsured), and immigrants (21% of uninsured, legal and illegal) are the most physically and financially vulnerable in our health care system.

It is a misconception, however, to assume young adults are healthy individuals who believe themselves invincible; rather, statistics show that the uninsured tend to be less healthy than those with health insurance. Those without health insurance receive less care, are less likely to see a doctor, and more likely to receive diagnoses of diseases in their late stages.

A thread through the Hebrew Bible is a call for a communal commitment to the most vulnerable in society. While I believe there are dangers in accepting a given Levitical commandment as a universal moral imperative, a thread of biblical references contend that citizens and immigrants alike should have the same expectations and protections with respect to ethical laws and humanitarian rights and aid (Lev. 19.33-34).

According to the National Coalition on Health Care report, there are adverse communal consequences to allowing a percentage of the population to be uninsured.

"First, family members, neighbors, and colleagues at work are adversely affected by the incapacities that befall the uninsured. Second, as the number … increases, so does the cost-shifting for uncompensated care built into the insurance premiums of those who purchase coverage. Third, the high incidence of uninsurance generates losses throughout the economy…. (“Building a Better Health Care System”, 9)"

We find from our tradition solid reasons to extend quality care to all. Let us see Christ in all and extend care to all (Matthew 25.44). The question remains, "So say we all?"

Bibliography

1. "Building a Better Health Care System" (PDF), National Coalition on Health Care
2. The 'Real' Uninsured, FactCheck.org

Your Prayers for Health Care

46 million Americans do not have health insurance, and 15 million more are underinsured. Our faith tells us that which harms a few affects the whole. As we continue the conversation about health care reform, the Christian Social Action Ministry would like to hear your questions, concerns, even stories regarding the state of health care in our country, the ways you see it working, and the ways you see it in need of change. You may comment below and comment here or you may drop it off in the CSAM mailbox in the center office by 6pm Thursday, September 24. Thanks for your participation in CSAM's continuing conversation on health care reform.

Health Care As a Human Right?

Kevin, a NC Christian chaplain blogger, has posted his thoughts on health care reform.

He addresses a simple truth: if we as a society believed health care is a human right, then such a claim by anyone in our current discourse on health care reform would be a moot point.

I believe most United Methodists and, indeed, most Americans would find the claim to be a moot point under certain conditions. Time and time again, I witness people respond with open hearts and all the gifts at their disposal to offer aid to people who have experienced calamity--from a friend who needs care or financial assistance after a life-threatening car crash to a stranger who is one of many who survived a flood.

Yet often the struggle for this seemingly moot point comes when individual strangers are hit by calamity or when there is no calamity--when preventative care is necessary. Do we believe these times are just as worthy of our concern for another's health and well being? Can we say unequivocally in unison with the United Methodist social principle that health care is a human right? Should all have equal access to the same quality care regardless of who you are or the possessions you have?

In a future post, we will delve into this question at greater length.

UMC of the Resurrection's Health Care Forum

On August 25, United Methodist Church of the Resurrection (Leawood, KS) held a forum on health care. Their web site provides video and audio of that conversation. The audio has been enclosed in this entry for your listening convenience.

More links to information about health care and its reform can be found on the right column of this blog.

Help Stop Hunger

A Service Opportunity for Students

Hunger is a pressing problem in the world and in our local community. Make a real difference.

1. Come by the Etc. Coffeehouse at Wesley Sunday, September 6 between 12:30 and 2:30pm and help us make 10000 Crosses.
2. Help us at our display on the Quad this Wednesday, September 9 (First 20 volunteers get T-shirts.)
   8-9a Setup the crosses on the Quad out in front of Lincoln Hall. Everyone is welcome to come plant the crosses.
   9-11a Host Table
   11a-1p Host Table
   1-3p Host Table
   3-5p Host Table
   4 Clean up

A number of Campus Ministries across the state of Illinois will be setting up displays on campus' highlighting how many persons die of hunger every day. Approximately 25,000 persons die of hunger and hunger related causes every day (Source: The State of Food Insecurity in the World, FAO). We will have a display set up on the quad with 9,000 little tombs (popsicle stick crosses, stars and crescents) representing the number of persons who died "Last Night as you were Sleeping." The goal of the display is three fold:

1. To raise awareness about the extent of hunger in the World, in the United States and in Champaign County.
2. To "Rethink" the root causes of hunger primarily war (international) and financial distress (US, often brought on by sudden job loss or medical crises.)
3. Invite students, faculty and staff to make positive steps to alleviate hunger.

We will be passing out fliers that on one side will share statistical information about hunger and its causes and on the other side will suggest practical steps that persons can take to make a real difference.

Still working on the list but it will be something like:

• Write your congressman or representative to support "The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004" that will be up for renewal this coming session of congress AND sign up on Feeding America http://www.hungeractioncenter.org to support future hunger initiatives. Find your representatives at congress.org!
• Sponsor a child through an agency. Such as World Vision, Compassion International or Holt Child Services.
• Help at a local food pantry with contact information for Salt and Light, TIMES Center and Wesley Food Pantry.
• Volunteer information will be available for the Wesley Foundation Food Pantry on the 3rd Thursday each month (It's right on campus and serving over 1000 persons each month.
• Create a fund raiser to support a Food Pantry or Soup Kitchen.
• Or Volunteer or attend the Haunted House for Wesley Food Pantry
• MULTIPLY YOUR EFFECTIVENESS. AFTER YOU CHOOSE TO HELP IN SOME WAY RECRUIT AT LEAST TWO OTHER PERSONS TO HELP.

The list is still in process but I want real hands on things that students can commit to.