Lutheran Principles for Health Care Reform

This week, key committees in the Senate and House of Representatives continue important debates on health care reform legislation, including an expected vote on Wednesday on a bill in the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee in the House. There is a great deal of misinformation circulating, so it is more critical than ever for you to educate yourself on the issue and make your voice heard!

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject:

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

As the health care debate heats up, I believe it is especially important for the voices of people of faith to be heard. I believe that the Christian Church is called to be an active participant in fashioning a just and effective health care system. And as a Lutheran, my faith teaches me to look out for the most vulnerable and do what we can to make sure that all people have what they need to live into who God has made them to be.

Unfortunately, our health care system suffers from a prolonged crisis, and it is important we take advantage of the opportunity before us to make some improvements. However, not just any reform will do. I ask you to support reform that fits with my Lutheran values. Specifically, I think that health care reform must be comprehensive, meaning that it must:

+ 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;

+ Provide quality health coverage choices that are truly affordable to all people regardless of income;

+ Protect and enhance the health of lower-income families and children by strengthening our current safety net programs, like Medicaid and SCHIP;

+ Allow people to receive appropriate long-term services and supports that respect their individual choices and needs; and

+ Rest on a financially sustainable foundation by making sure people get the care they need when they need it and controlling costs.

I know we can achieve meaningful reform, but only if we put aside partisan squabbles and set our minds and hearts to the task at hand. I urge you, along with your colleagues, regardless of political party or philosophy, to join in the commitment and conversation to achieve meaningful health care reform this year. The stakes of failure are too great.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
July 21, 2009

Background Information

The Urgency
"Health care in the United States, its territories, and Puerto Rico suffers from a prolonged crisis. People unnecessarily endure poor health. Rising health care costs leave a growing number of people without adequate health care. Health care resources often are...based on ability to pay rather than need. Finding access to quality health care services is difficult for many. The growing number of elderly people adds another stress on health care resources. Fear and self-interest defeat social justice in the political processes of health care reform” (“Caring for Health: Our Shared Endeavor”). Additionally, the costs of health care threaten the financial health of millions of individuals and families and the long-term financial stability of our nation. And this entire situation is exacerbated by rising unemployment and the current economic recession.

The Opportunity
Despite the urgency of America’s health care crisis, true reform has eluded policymakers for decades. However, 2009 has the chance to be different. Perhaps now more than ever, a wide majority of the public and most policy makers and major stakeholders share the sincere belief that fundamental reform of the nation’s health care system is essential and possible.

The Call to Action
The ELCA social statement on economic life, Sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All, calls for "addressing the barriers individuals face in preparing for and sustaining a livelihood (such as lack of...health care)." It also calls for "public policies that ensure adequate social security, unemployment insurance, and health care coverage."