| Opinion: Dr. Micah's health-care prescription |
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| By Marv Knox | ||
| Monday, September 21, 2009 | ||
(ABP) -- What will our nation do about health care? That question dominates the American social and political landscape this autumn.
But another question hovers in the mists of that landscape. It’s almost as important and perhaps even more troubling: Will Christians in the United States be part of the health-care problem, or will we contribute to the solution?
Judging by what we saw this hot, hazy summer, Christians probably will exacerbate the issue. Time after time, we watched as people simultaneously trumpeted their faith and blasted opponents who disagreed with them about how to ensure and insure health care. It wasn’t a pretty sound. And I fear for the damage done to the reputation of Jesus Christ by the vitriol spewed by his followers.
In an effort to dissipate heat and shine light, the Baptist Standard and our New Voice Media partners -- Associated Baptist Press, Virginia’s Religious Herald and Missouri’s Word & Way -- have prepared a package of articles on health care, which we’re publishing simultaneously. Our reporters and editors have worked hard to help you base your decision about possible solutions on facts and informed analysis of the status of health care in our country.
At the outset, let me say that I’m not advocating a specific solution. But I think we should be able to build consensus around two parallel ideas: Solid health care should be available to all Americans. And something must be done to stem the rising costs of medical treatment, which not only crimp coverage, but also threaten to cripple the economy.
Personally, I’ve been fascinated by proposals that would eliminate for-profit insurance companies in favor of not-for-profit insurance organizations. I’ve also been intrigued by ideas that eliminate the administrative expenses inflating the costs of both health-care delivery itself and insurance coverage. I've also been intrigued by ideas that emphasize preventive care, guarantee insurance portability and protect people from having their coverage summarily denied (particularly through no fault of their own). And I would love to live in a country where everyone has a right to a healthy and decent level of basic medical care and where all Americans can insure themselves to ensure they receive the most comprehensive and excellent health care in the world. By now, steam may already be billowing out of your ears because you have projected one model or another of health care upon the ideas I’ve just shared. If that is the case, I have one plea for you: Calm down. The First Amendment guarantees free speech. The social construct of our country calls for a civil exchange of ideas -- a concept that seems lost in 2009.
I hope and pray Christians and other people of faith would lead the way toward finding a solution to this vital issue by embracing three principles outlined in the sixth chapter of the Old Testament book of Micah:
-30- Marv Knox is editor of the Texas Baptist Standard.
EDITORIAL DISCLAIMER: As part of our mission to provide credible and compelling information about matters of faith, Associated Baptist Press actively seeks a diversity of viewpoints in its columns, commentaries and other opinion-based content. Opinions expressed in these articles are not intended to represent ABP editorial policy and do not necessarily reflect the views of ABP's staff, board of directors or supporters. Read more New Voice stories: Healing the Sick: Religious groups fighting to prevent reform debacle Healing the Sick: Ethicists view health care as a basic right Healing the Sick: Faith-based providers crucial to health reform Healing the Sick: Baylor profs propose alternative reform model Healing the Sick: Spiritual component key part of parish nursing
                Comments (5)
 More than I said
written by marvknox, September 21, 2009
Thanks for responding, Dr. J. Unfortunately, you read more than I wrote.
You said I made a "case for the US taxpayer supplying medical to all." But all I said was "I think we should be able to build consensus around two parallel ideas: Solid health care should be available to all Americans. And something must be done to stem the rising costs of medical treatment, which not only crimp coverage, but also threaten to cripple the economy." I specifically said I'm not advocating a specific solution. I mentioned several intriguing ideas that have surfaced, all of which could be achieved without the government providing health care in the way you inferred. We will have a better opportunity to achieve workable solutions when participants in the discussion refuse to project what is not said into the conversation. Thanks for mentioning that Jesus' mandate to minister to "the least of these" is the moral obligation of Christians. I fully agree. So, please show me where even one church—or group of churches—in one community is doing enough to provide for the health care needs of all citizens in that community. And also show where one Christian or one Christian family is providing enough resources to their church to get that job done. I've been asking that question for years, and no one has ever provided an example. So, in the meantime, it is Christians' responsibility to advocate for adequate and affordable health care for all Americans. It doesn't have to be socialized medicine. It doesn't have to be government-funded and government-run. But if Christians don't take the lead in finding a way to minister to all people, who will? And if we don't at least try to follow the example of Jesus to love and care for "the least of these," what does that say about us? Thanks again for the dialogue. Well said, Marv.
written by Common Loon, September 22, 2009
I'm truly saddened that my evangelical brothers and sisters are among the loudest voices against reform, even those proposals that don't involve a public option. While some have tried to turn the discussion into false accusations about death panels and a government takeover, the rest of us are trying to come up with $1000 or more per month just to obtain coverage for our children, forget about if we actually need to see a doctor for anything.
Sorry Dr. J, but health care access is not an Audi, nor should it be a Rolex or a golden parachute reserved only for the privileged. Medical care is a matter of basic dignity for men, women and children who bear their Creator's image. Unless we all become Amish, I don't see how charities, the local church or even the non-profit sector can cover the expense of skyrocketing premiums that escalate each year. It's always easier to attack someone else's proposal than to come up with your own, much less defend it. ...
written by wilx1, September 23, 2009
When was the last time anyone received a high quality of care from a not-for-profit organization versus a for profit organization that must compete for a persons business and give them quality customer service or risk going out of business? Is it "just" to subject an overwhelming majority to sub-standard care in order to give a small percentage of people "basic" care? Of course I am assuming a National Health-care system because the current bill, the way it is constructed, will ultimately put the insurance companies out of business which is the long-term intent.
If one argues that health-care is a right, then to be logically consistent, one must also argue that private insurance should be illegal because no one can or should have better access to, or better quality of a particular right. There are many market-driven options that can be implemented that would dramatically lower the cost of health care and make it affordable for all but the extreme poor and for these people there is already a government option in place. Whatever we do, it should place the greater emphasis on individual responsibility rather than government responsibility because human nature teaches us this: whatever a person can get someone else to do for them, they will never do for themselves. The bible also teaches the poor have a responsibility to work as hard as they can to provide for themselves so as not to be a burden on the rest of the community. ... written by kash, September 29, 2009
"When was the last time anyone received a high quality of care from a not-for-profit organization versus a for profit organization that must compete for a persons business and give them quality customer service or risk going out of business?" That is an unfair question, as private insurance companies do not have to compete, either, because they all have us at their mercy. You can not just "shop around". And the medical services themselves are even worse - there is no price shopping among doctors and hospitals, because the prices are not out in the open! Private insurance is, for all intents and purposes, a monopoly, unanswerable to either consumer or market demands.
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I have always respected you and I respect your freedom to voice your opinion though I differ greatly from it. One of the safest vehicles to drive is the Audi A6. The price begins at $45,000. I would like to live in an America where everyone could drive and ride in an Audi A6. Since all Americans are "of equal worth" then "justice demands that we guarantee access to" the safest automobile and that "it not be offered to only those who possess special status." Your case for the US taxpayer supplying medical to all is similar.
I don't know one person who doesn't wish medical care for all. But I do know many people who do not believe the government is the solution. Providing medical care is not the moral obligation of the US taxpayer. It is the moral obligation- when recognized- of the christian. Christians cannot vicariously assuage their christian responsibility through government actions.
Finally, I find it immoral to spend the country further into debt, spend money we don't have on the present generation, at the expense of future generations.
Obviously, I disagree with your premise. Also, I take exception to your innuendo that those who disagree with government option are kooks and hot-heads. We are Americans who do not want the government nationalizing any more of our economy.