Action Center

Congress should enact real reform to health care that ensures that everyone has access to health care.

This year represents a rare window of opportunity to provide health care for all people in the United States. Jesus provided a promise of God’s grace for us all when he proclaimed we shall “have Life, and have it abundantly”. (John 10:10, NRSV) We believe that the kairos moment has been thrust upon us and voices of people of faith are required to proclaim a prophetic word that everyone has access to the abundance God offers to us without price.

Contact your member of Congress to let them know that United Methodists believe “Health Care is a basic human right.” (United Methodist Social Principle ¶162.V)

The U.S. health care system is costly, inefficient and has huge gaps for the insured and uninsured alike. Costs will continue to rise for everyone without an attempt at equitable coverage, an emphasis on quality rather than quantity, and a public plan which would ensure that no one is left on the outside of a health care system in the richest nation in the world and provide a counter-balance to spiraling costs.

The prospect of health care reform affects all of us, and as people of faith, we must take action to ensure that God’s vision of abundant life is fulfilled for every one of God’s children so that we care for the health of ourselves and our neighbors.

Together we call for a system of health care that is:

• INCLUSIVE: Health care is a right and a shared responsibility that is grounded in our common humanity.
• AVAILABLE: Health care must contribute to the common good by being available to everyone, especially those who cannot afford it.
• ACCESSIBLE: All persons should have access to health services that provide necessary care and contribute to wellness.
• ACCOUNTABLE: Our health care system must be accountable, offering a quality, equitable and sustainable means of keeping us healthy as individuals and as a community.