Seeking health care justice on the hill and at homeMennonite Central Committee GOSHEN, Ind. -- In the mid-1990s, after Congress tried but failed to address the U.S. health care crisis, Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash) had mixed feelings. He had offered the only proposal in the House which, according to independent reviewers, would bring health care coverage to all 44 million uninsured Americans. Yet unusually heavy lobbying by the insurance industry defeated his plan. "I'm disappointed because our failure to act now will only serve to make the crisis worse," responded McDermott. "But I'm not discouraged because when Congress is forced to deal with this issue again, the pressure for comprehensive reform will be even greater."  Polls show affordable and effective health care to be the leading concern for most Americans. Since 1994, more than 1 million people a year have lost their health insurance coverage. Nearly 44 million Americans go without coverage. This erosion of coverage stems from the continuing decline of employer-provided insurance, high insurance premiums and welfare reform's detrimental effect on Medicaid (health insurance for the poor). Many elected officials have sought to show their concern by supporting various incremental reform measures. But proposals that fail to move significantly toward providing all people with basic health services lack vision and reality. The goal of health care reform should be universal coverage. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane." By seeking justice in health care we follow the healing ministry of Jesus who restored health and wholeness to individuals and communities. May we be mindful of this as we choose our elected officials and as we witness to God's Kingdom in the church.
For more information, or to contact Mennonite Central Committee, see their website at: www.mcc.org |
 |
Email Article To A Friend |  |
Link to us! |
