Judged by Health Care

In August our legislators will be holding town meetings across the country regarding the upcoming Health Care Reform vote. It seems that the debate is boiling down to three major issues: 1) making sure that the vast majority of Americans are covered, 2) controlling costs, and 3) assuring that medical innovation continues. The prevailing political wisdom is that these issues compete against one another. Doing a good job in one area will weaken our ability in one or more of the others.

The Bible consistently shows God's preferential concern for the poor and outcast. As an American Christian, I find it embarrassing that our nation ranks 37th in the world in providing health care. I find myself meditating on the voices of various Christian ethicists, telling us that in the end we will be judged by how well we care for the least and the lost in our society.

As a result, I find myself echoing the same concern repeatedly voiced by The Presbyterian Church (USA) that we enact reform that focuses more on concerns 1) and 2) than 3) . Besides, given the nature of the American spirit, I can't help but believe that ways to encourage innovation will be found, even if it means finding a future moment to reform whatever initial reform might pass this fall.

Right now it is my main hope that the competing political interests don't succeed in totally blocking any possibility of reform now. It seems to me that such resolute inaction would indicate an ongoing disdain of the poor, rather than a preferential concern for them.

I want to encourage your prayers on this issue, and I want to invite your comments.