Here's the first section of Jim Wallis' recent essay, A Faith Declaration for Health-Care Reform. I believe the statement is very important.
Over the course of the health-care debate, voices of faith have been raised about the moral values at stake beneath the policy discussions. As bills are finalized and moved through both chambers of Congress, now more than ever we need to remind ourselves of the values that move us to reform. From the Bill of Rights to the abolition of slavery, from women’s suffrage to the civil rights movement, those who have raised the question of values have often changed our country for the better. Change can be scary in uncertain times, but it always comes when a nation chooses hope over fear.
Unfortunately, God sent Moses down from the mountain with only the Ten Commandments, and not a health-care bill ready to be passed out of committee. There is no one “right” religious position on how health care should be provided. But I believe there are some fundamental moral and biblical principles on which to evaluate any final legislative agreement, principles on which many people of faith -- even politically diverse people -- might agree. After the heat of the summer’s confrontations over health care, it’s time for a cooler fall debate. It’s time for a re-set of the health-care debate, and a return to some basic principles could help.
To read his "Five Principles of Faith for Health-Care Reform" and his entire statement click here.
Reactions welcome.
12 comments:
I wholeheartedly agree with his points. Too bad the politicians on both sides of the isle don't or won't listen to common sense. I heard today on the radio Steve Winn of Winn Properties make the point that we need reform, but first we need jobs. After jobs, we can take on reform but in an economy like this, jobs are of primary importance. Without jobs, no one can afford reform, no matter what is being reformed.
Congressmen/Women and Senators are going around the country trying to explain a preliminary version of a health care plan written by a committee whose head says he doesn't understand it, to be voted on by a congress that hasn't read it, but exempts themselves from it, potentially signed by a president that also hasn't read it and who himself still smokes, with funding administered by a treasury chief who didn't pay his taxes, monitored by a surgeon general who is obese, but had no imput to its writing and is only 2 months on the job, and ostensibly financied by a country that's saddled with already insurmountable debt whose estimates grow weekly as the administration's assumptions on the economy are shown to be incorrect and now seek to name it after a deceased senator whose life was prolonged as long as it was by receiving care that would not be provided under the terms of the proposed government plan. What could possibly go wrong and what is wrong with this picture? While acknowledging that we can do better to tweak what already works for 80% of us, are we really this stupid as to allow something of this magnitude and expense to additionally impose on us without proper consideration, imput and discussion?
By an unknown M.D.
yes, chris, by an unknown m.d. now employed by an insurance lobby
Wow, chris. You really have everything figured out. Did Rush dig this up for you?
-from an unknown, but "expert" opinion in whatever field this is.
What could possibly be wrong in our leaders reading the bill and allowing the country to read it? Sounds like common sense to me.
I just heard that the insurance industry is out with a report saying that if the current health care reform bill is approved, health costs will be up an additional 73% by 2016. Let's see. That is 7 years from now. At about 10% per year, which is better than the increasing costs over the last 7 years in my business, we'd arrive at that number. How stupid do they think the American people are? Really! Health care costs will decline when and if the industry is taken out of it current position of driving profits to share holders' bottom lines. Health care and wellness should not be fair game for trading on Wall Street. We currently are getting exactly what Wall Street is good at delivering, and it ain't health and wellness for all Americans!
Interesting comment. Our health care costs at CDM have risen steadily and dramatically over the past 15 years. We hang on with great effort to provide coverage for our employees.
Daniel, I hope you know that I love and appreciate you, but to me your comment to Chris was out of line. I have no idea where she got her "talking points" from, but both sides play the "talking points" game. I think Chris brought some question that beg for an answer. By the way, I would love to hear from you. Let me know when you are back in Memphis.
rc, I don't think it's out of line to hold anyone's feet to the fire about passing off "reputable" sources. I especially think the followers of Jesus should hold themselves to a higher standard when playing society's political game, if they should even play it at all.
Daniel,
Chris made fair and honest observations. You responded with an empty sneer. How does that help?
Was she inaccurate? Where?
I would start by suggesting that hardly any bill is read by very many senators or congressmen. They are usually read and summarized by staffers and interns. So that simply says nothing about the healthcare bill - it's just about Washington. I would also suggest that mentioning a "President who smokes" and a "Surgeon General who is obese" are not honest comments designed to advance the discussion. They are pot shot arguments ad hominem. If I saw much honest criticism in what Chris copied here, maybe it would be worth a response. I see little but spin.
I am a government employee and have what is considered to be some of the best health insurance available. I currently pay $70.18 per pay period; $1824.68 per year. That is insurance for JUST me, no family coverage. Family coverage doubles the premium. I can insurance myself and my husband OR myself and 15 children - no difference in price. I have just learned that my premiums are scheduled to increase by approximately $20 per pay period in 2010.
We need to put insurance companies out of business.
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