2002 Article
Some highlights from the IOM source:
- The number of uninsured individuals under age 65 is large, growing, and has persisted even during periods of strong economic growth.
- Uninsured children and adults do not receive the care they need. Consequently, they suffer from poorer health and development, and are more likely to die prematurely than those with coverage; 18,000 unnecessary deaths are attributable to lack of health coverage every year.
- Even one uninsured person in a family can put the financial stability and health of the whole family at risk.
- A community’s high rate of uninsurance can adversely affect the overall health status of the community, the financial stability of its health care institutions and providers, and the access of its residents to certain services, such as emergency departments and trauma centers.
- The estimated value of healthy years of life gained by providing health insurance coverage to all is almost certainly greater than the costs that would be incurred by providing those without coverage the same level of services enjoyed by those who have insurance.
Followups to the study put the numbers at 22,000 in 2006.
When we look at what charity we should undertake as Christians we should look at helping our neighbors and healing the sick by supporting health care reform. It's not a perfect reform - perfect reform is like anything perfect; it's not attainable on our side of eternity. That said, it's a good step in the right direction - the direction of healing, of saving lives, of protecting.
For those that advocate strongly against abortion, I ask you - how many of the unborn die because of the mothers who lack healthcare?
For those that advocate strongly for the poor, I ask you - how many will be driven into poverty, further burdening the system, because of a car accident, disease, or other medical problem that costs tens of thousands of dollars to overcome?
Make no mistake, health care reform is a bitter, divisive topic. I realize that most of you are conservatives, and that the current conservative view is in opposition to reform. That said, there are times when it becomes important to hold fast to the good, rather than the politic. Just as Jesus stood up to the law teachers and the Pharisees against the stoning of the adulteress (John 8:1-11), we too must do what is right, which is to save lives, even if we must render more unto Caesar. This is one place where Christians on all sides of the party line, the Conservative and the Liberal, Republican and Democrat, can come together with one voice, and do what Christ would do - advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves.
Please, contact your Senators and Representatives, as well as your State and Local politicians. Tell them that you, as a Christian, support health care reform regardless of party affiliation.
Here's a few online petitions:
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