Published in the Westchester Guardian, October 2013
“This is one of the most important social and civil rights issues in the United States.” Then Senator Pete Domenici (R.NM) speaking on equal health care treatment (parity) or those suffering from a mental illness as compared with other illnesses. That was over twelve years ago. The billed failed. The Republican controlled committee refused to act. Nothing has changed. The greatest nation has been stagnant with improving health care for all. I was one of those hurt by their poor decision of inaction. We must go forward and try to improve the lives of others.
With medical insurance and care being so drastically out of the individual’s reach, can health care, should health care be seen as a right of any and all citizens – a right to a quality of life, a freedom from fear, from threat of losing everything? Can equality and democracy be reasonably served when health care affordability and quality are serious concerns for American families? Does every individual, Christian and non-Christian, have an obligation to other members of the larger community?
No one has a choice of the place, time, and circumstances of birth. Should an individuals’ rights to a quality of life, to an equality of life be denied because of the factors of birth? Can, a health care act be seen as a social and civil rights issue that enables so many to receive benefits necessary to living a more complete life?
Medical expenses have soared to such an extent, that we must accept that the days of our parents will never return. No longer will medical expenses and insurance be such a “minor” percentage of a family’s income. (Insurance and bills consumed only a portion of a weekly salary – and there was only one wage earner in the family.) Now, two wage earners are needed to meet common and reasonable expenses. Now insurance expense alone consumes a large share of the checkbook. Now medical expenses, including dental and vision care are expensive even with insurance. Why, how, did this cost curve grow so much out of control? When did the middle and lower classes fall to such an extent? When did they lose so much control over their lives? I need someone who can explain this to me.
The United States has always been the great beacon of hope for humanity. It will always be the great experiment. This nation has the capacity to change, adopt and grow and it will continue to be the center of development and change that will be looked upon for generations as the great, successful experiment of humanity that created hope for all people. Decent healthcare is a key component.
The Problem with Luke 16:19-31, the Parables and other encounters with the wealthy.
Jesus through New Testament has provided guideposts for individuals and Christian societies in regards to wealth, its contributions and whom can be considered neighbors (a definition that changed drastically with high technological innovations), but today these values seem to be absent especially when it comes to healthcare and its related issues. Be it mental illness and parity or affordable ‘routine’ medical needs or reasonable insurance, injustice exists and must be corrected. How much wealth and what type of wealth should be contributed/donated to those in need? Should/could distant villages, towns, cities be seen as within the definition of a neighbor? Is noninvolvement an acceptable position for citizen in a democracy? Can voter be accountable for those elected who do not adhere to the New Testament? Can our lack of involvement in political events, our ignorance, be considered a sin? Can ones over zealousness lead into transgression and worse? Like a small coin placed in the poor, it may not change the world but may change a life, God knows. The same with our votes and intentions.
If we are lucky, we may have many chances but only go around once in this life. Have our Christian politicians (and voters) acted as Christians? Has this country failed to live up Christianity’s tenets?
Christian love, dignity, respect.
What is one’s definition of love? Can we see it as a term beyond our cultural usage pertaining mainly to eroticism and physical conquest? Substitute the words compassion, respect, dignity, then we get the fuller meaning of our difficult obligation.
“I am obliged by the law of Christ and of the Spirit to be concerned with my brothers need and above all with his greatest need, the need of love. How many terrible problems in relations between classes, nations and races in the modern world arise from the sad deficiency of love!” Thomas Merton.
As Christians how should we act with love towards our fellow citizens (in dire need of insurance and health care) – by displaying justice and giving the innocent what they deserve, concurrently lifting up others to a better life. We have to understand that being a true Christian is difficult, especially when applying religious doctrine to social doctrine and political ideology. Should we care about the plight of so many who we will never meet? How do I reconcile my own guilt and selfishness? How do I live with my insecurities? Where does selflessness end and selfishness begin? Are the right questions being asked?
“Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried.” G.K. Chesterton.
If you view our America as a land of the individual rights over of the community, then you may be against certain social doctrines. If you believe in the rights of the community over the individual, then you may be against some of the basics of individual liberty. A middle ground – distributism, an opposition to both socialism and capitalism. Some interesting for a future article.
Social Rights and the Four Freedoms
On January 6, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave a speech of the four fundamental/essential freedoms that every person “everywhere in the world” ought to enjoy: Freedom of speech, Freedom of worship, Freedom from want and Freedom from fear. Does not everyone in this country have a right to an adequate standard of living – freedom from wants for themselves and their family? Everyone has the right adequate healthcare and well-being of himself and his family. Should not the constant looming threats of illness and bankruptcy if possible be eliminated? It should never be a luxury but a right, for our nation, at this time and place.
It would be an error if our sons, especially the laity, should consider it more prudent to lessen their personal Christian commitment to the world: rather they shall renew and increase it. Pope John XXIII.
Give the world the best you have
And you’ll get kicked in the teeth,
GIVE THE WORLD THE BEST YOU’VE GOT ANYWAY. Mother Teresa
End
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Glenn Slaby Blog