Faithful push for action on health-care reform

COLUMBUS, Ohio — God wouldn't deny anyone a doctor, affordable medicine or any other medical needs, religious leaders are preaching in the midst of a nationwide debate about health-care reform.

Faith groups are lobbying Congress and working to gain support among laypeople for a health-care system that offers affordable coverage to all, though they largely leave the specifics of how that would happen to the legislators.

We need to work toward a reality on Earth that makes sure that every one of God's children is adequately cared for.

"If we truly believe what we pray, then we need to work toward a reality on Earth that makes sure that every one of God's children is adequately cared for," said Bishop Bruce Ough of the West Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church.

Ough, who is pushing for a public option for those who cannot afford health care, wrote Methodists and others, asking them to contact their representatives.

Health-care Sabbaths

Congress is on recess until after Labor Day, and members are holding town meetings in their districts and providing other opportunities for constituents to weigh in on health care. President Barack Obama has said he'd like to pass health-care reform by year's end.

In the meantime, an interfaith coalition called Faithful Reform in Health Care, based in Cleveland, is asking its members to hold "health-care Sabbaths," a chance to pray for "those who are victimized by the current system," said the Rev. Linda Hanna Walling, founder of the group.

The victims include both uninsured and insured Americans who are being overwhelmed by the cost of health care, Walling said.

Victims include both uninsured and insured Americans who are being overwhelmed by the cost of health care.

The group offers congregations an adult-education curriculum on health care.

The coalition hasn't taken a stand on specific legislation, but most members would support a public, government-run option, Walling said.

Ohio's Jewish charities, many of which offer services for elderly people, are represented by Joyce Garver Keller of the Columbus-based advocacy group Ohio Jewish Communities.

Garver Keller has traveled to Washington several times this year to talk to lawmakers; she is focusing on protecting access to long-term care for the elderly, disabled and others who need it.

1010 Challenge

The United Methodist Church has created John 10:10 Challenge that encourages visitors to the website to take one new action for health-care reform every week. Such acts include "tell a friend" and "organize/participate in a prayer vigil."

On Aug. 10, an interfaith group including the Rev. Jim Wallis, founder of the social-justice group Sojourners in Washington, D.C., announced a new campaign, "40 Days for Health Reform."

It includes a TV ad featuring Catholic, mainline Protestant and evangelical pastors, as well as dedicating Aug. 28-30 as a weekend for pastors to deliver sermons on health care.

They'll call for more civility in the debate.

The Rev. Timothy Ahrens of First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, in downtown Columbus, is planning a news conference Aug. 18 with other pastors and rabbis. They'll call for more civility in the debate, after seeing news reports of lawmakers' town-hall meetings that devolved into raucous shouting matches.

Abortion could provide a sticking point for some religious advocates.

The Catholic bishops of the United States want everyone, including immigrants, to have health insurance but will oppose legislation that funds abortion or requires insurance plans to cover abortion procedures, said Kathy Saile, director of domestic social development.

"Abortion is not health care," Saile said. "So we should just keep that out of this debate."

Also facing the religious advocates are well-funded opponents, including those in the insurance industry.

"They have lots and lots of money," Walling said. "But there's more of us than there are of them. All we have to do is get our folks in gear."

Editor's note: This article is reprinted by permission of The Columbus Dispatch, Aug. 7.