The President and some members of Congress took a step in the right direction with health care reform. Some of the loudest objections to that health care step comes from those who have good health care plans, and even from some wealthy people. Health care in America is failing those who are on the margins of society. The health care system fails the poor. According to the US Census Bureau "The number of Americans without health insurance rose to 46.3 million last year as people began losing jobs and coverage in the current recession." The fear of getting sick and needing a doctor or hospitilization is very real. Heath care discrepancies perpetuate themselves from generation to generation and few people are able to break out of their predefined destinies.
Christians have too often thrown their lot in with free market Darwinism. In this system high performers rapidly outcompete low performers, accumulate collective power, use this power to entrench themselves in institutions, and marginalize the rest. This contributes, I think, to the expanding influence of prosperity preachers and even faith healers, who offer affordable, alternative cures. Historically, Christian have been in the public square advocating for justice. Christians gave voice to the Civil Rights Movement, and to ending the Vietnam War. Apartheid and Anti-Semitism were declared by some Christians to be heresies for various reasons. More Christian voices are needed in the health care debate.
This is one of the biggest issues facing the USA today, and Cristian voices are missing. As Christians and citizens, we must call for a more civil tone in this debate and call for a return to the goal of the common good. Christians can give encouragement to elected leaders, calling on them to create structures that serve the needs of some whom Jesus loved best, and once spoke of in these words: "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matt. 25:40 NRSV).
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