Health Care Policy from Faith Perspective

162  III.  THE SOCIAL COMMUNITY

V) Right to Health Care--Health is a condition of physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being. John 10:10b says, "I came so that they could have life--indeed, so that they could live life to the fullest."  Stewardship of health is the responsibility of each person to whom health has been entrusted.  Creating the personal, environmental, and social conditions in which health can thrive is a joint responsibility--public and private.  We encourage individuals to pursue a healthy lifestyle and affirm the importance of preventive heath care, health education, environmental and occupational safety, good nutrition, and secure housing in achieving health.  Health care is a basic human right.

Providing the care needed to maintain health, prevent disease, and restore health after injury or illness is a responsibility each person owes others and government owes to all,  a responsibility government ignores at its peril.  In Ezekiel 34:4a, God points out the failures of the leadership of Israel to care for the weak:  "You don't strengthen the weak, heal the sick, bind up the injured, bring back the strays, or seek out the lost."  As a result all suffer.  Like police and fire protection, health care is best funded through the government's ability to tax each person equitably and directly fund the provider entities. 

We believe it is a governmental responsibility to provide all citizens with health care. 

We encourage hospitals, physicians, and medical clinics to provide access to primary health care to all people regardless of their health-care coverage or ability to pay for treatment. 

The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church (2012)

pages 126-127

Affordable Care Act and health coverage

On next Tuesday, October 1, 2013, Americans without health insurance coverage will be able to enroll for coverage under provisions of the Affordable Care Act.

The process is fairly simple. 

You can apply online at www.healthcare.gov.

The enrollment process is easy to understand.

The website lets you know what you will need to do to sign up.  You'll be able to shop various health insurance options to find what's best for you!  The program will be very beneficial to persons who currently have no health coverage or who battle "pre-existing conditions." 

If you have questions, call 1-800-318-2596. Information is available 24/7 in 140 languages.

You'll even be able to enter into a chat online, if that is more to your liking!

The health care homelessness connection

It is an honor to serve as a board member with Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance (MDHA) where I chair the Public Policy Committee.  

Tim Thetford serves as Director of Public Policy for MDHA.  We are very fortunate to have such an experienced voice working for us in Dallas.  

On September 23, 2012, The Dallas Morning News published Tim's Op-Ed essay on the clear connection between the lack of affordable health care and homelessness.  

Here's what Tim had to say:

Homelessness is frequently and accurately attributed to unemployment and a lack of affordable housing. But there’s another significant factor forcing people onto the streets: lack of affordable health care. Catastrophic medical costs can lead to homelessness as well as preventable illnesses that cause some to lose their jobs because of failing health.

Access to health care is essential for the treatment of mental illness, addiction and chronic medical conditions. Each year, the number of families who become vulnerable to homelessness increases for lack of access to medical care. The rapidly rising cost of health care in America, which has outpaced income growth for two decades, is gradually putting health insurance out of reach for more and more Texans.

The U.S. has wrestled with the public policy and financing challenges related to health care accessibility for more than half a century. Affordable health care is an especially crucial issue here because 6 million Texans are uninsured. For the poorest of the poor — homeless individuals — the related suffering and high costs are immense.

Read the entire essay here.

Health Care Reform. . .explained

Health Care Reform and CitySquare

Watch the CNN video below.  Then, read the full report.  You'll learn about Project Access Dallas (PAD) as a community solution to increasing need. 

CitySquare was a founding partner of PAD. 

Currently, we provide health navigation services to PAD patients in Dallas County. 

Edd Eason leads our great team of community health workers!


 

Texas Governor rejects Medicaid Expansion

Poor people don't do very well in Texas in any category.

Now comes the news that Texas Governor Rick Perry will reject federal funds to expand Medicaid to the very poor who remain uninsured.

Even more amazing is the fact that the federal government would pay 100% of the expansion costs for thre first three years and then 90% of the cost after that!

You'll be interested to hear the following report from NPR on the Governor's action. And, be sure and watch a FOX News interview with Mr. Perry here.

Amazing!

President reacts to U. S. Supreme Court decision