National Clergy Letter on Comprehensive Health Reform
*Clergy: Add your name to the sign-on letter
Spring 2009
Dear Majority Leader Reid, Minority Leader McConnell, Speaker Pelosi and House Republican Leader Boehner:
As clergy from a broad cross-section of faith traditions in every state in our nation we see first-hand the devastating impact of rising unemployment and sky-rocketing insurance costs on the health and stability of families in our faith communities.
The time has come for Congress to pass comprehensive health reform that guarantees access to quality affordable health coverage to all families. The cost of continued delay is unsustainable.
As faith leaders we believe that fixing the health care system is not only essential to stabilizing families and communities, but also a moral imperative. A nation that values life created in God's image cannot stand by as 20,000 people die unnecessarily each year for lack of health coverage. A nation that values family cannot watch as millions are forced into bankruptcy by health care bills they cannot afford.
Every day we minister to people who are losing their jobs and health coverage. Food programs, health ministries and safety net clinics are overwhelmed. More and more people who were once secure in their health care have lost their ability to keep their families healthy and stable. Even those who still have health insurance are telling us that they cannot afford the care they need, a problem that is getting worse as health care costs rise three times faster than wages.
People of faith expect both political parties to actively pursue comprehensive health care reform. As religious leaders we are united in our focus, not on ideological or partisan agendas, but on health care solutions that work for American's families and our nation.
The priorities of the faith community for health care reform legislation are the priorities of the American people. Comprehensive health care reform legislation must:
(a) Provide families with quality health insurance choices that are truly affordable regardless of income;
(b) Cover everyone, so that no person relies on an emergency room for their health care or delays treatment because they lack insurance or have been denied coverage;
(c) Protect and enhance the health of lower-income families and children by strengthening Medicaid and SCHIP; and
(d) Rest on a financially sustainable foundation, providing people with the care they need when they need it and controlling costs.
Through prayer, teaching, and action we are building a national faith-based health care reform movement. In our congregations and communities we are committed to helping families understand what they have at stake in the health care reform debate and how they can make their voices heard with their Members of Congress. Over the coming months we plan to generate tens of thousands of calls and messages to Congress in support of comprehensive health reform.
Join us in remaking our health care system this year so that it reflects the best values of our nation!
