Not Providing Healthcare for All Is Morally Indefensible

A number of people have committed to 40 days of speaking out on the issue of seeing that adequate healthcare is provided for all in this country.

I appreciate reading the comments of all who do and who have spoken up and out on this issue.

Dr. Gordon D. Newby, a professor at Emory University, has just published a most interesting article that ought to inspire all of us -- as it did me -- to start proclaiming the faith-connection to the current national debate. ( http://tinyurl.com/l25hse )

He writes: At the end of August, our nation witnessed the first full public conversation about health care reform and the Gospel of the Poor.

In the celebration of Senator Kennedy’s life and accomplishments, clergy and laity joined in acknowledging that the Senator had made access to health care for all—regardless of wealth or station—his life’s work based on his understanding of the Gospels, his Roman Catholic faith, and his love for humanity.

It was a very different conversation than those we have generally heard on the broadcast media or read in print, because it was about health care for real people in real need.

It was a conversation about faith, morality, and compassion.

A conversation about faith, morality, and compassion -- that is what has been missing in all the political maneuvering about providing for reform of the current healthcare delivery system in this country.

Dr. Newby rightly suggests that so far we -- the country, the politicians, the people -- have been having the wrong conversation.

We are talking about insurance, money, the economy, freedom of choice, and letting those already fortunate to have insurance keep what they have. We are forgetting that there is a distinction between health care and health insurance, between the economy and the health of the nation.

What is needed, he boldly suggests, is a national conversation about our moral priorities as a nation, even as we discuss our financial future. From the heritage of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, it is wrong to leave so many in poverty and need.

Yes!

I, for one, pledge here and now to do what I can to participate in a national conversation about our moral priorities as a nation.

It certainly seems to me that Jesus was very clear about where he stood and would be standing when so many of neighbors are hurting so severely because of lack of access to health care.
For all who profess to be Christian it is very clear that not providing healthcare for all is morally indefensible.

Take a look at Dr. Newby's article (http://tinyurl.com/l25hse )and pass this post around for all to see.