United Methodists join in 'Cover the Uninsured Week'
United Methodists join in 'Cover the Uninsured Week'
April 15, 2004
By United Methodist News Service
Bishop Melvin G. Talbert
Bishop Melvin G. Talbert
To
draw attention to the nearly 44 million Americans who lack health
insurance, United Methodists and members of other religious groups will
join with more than 800 national and local organizations in marking
"Cover the Uninsured Week."
Some
1,000 events are planned in communities across the United States during
the May 10-16 observation. Former Presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy
Carter are honorary co-chairmen of the nonpartisan effort.
United
Methodist Bishop Melvin Talbert is a member of the National Interfaith
Advisory Board for "Cover the Uninsured Week." The Rev. Eileen Lindner,
an executive with the National Council of Churches, is the board's
chairwoman. The United Methodist Council of Bishops is one of the
national religious supporters.
Talbert
told United Methodist News Service that last year's "Cover the
Uninsured Week," the first of its kind, made people more aware of the
issue - and especially of the fact that 80 percent of the uninsured work
at full-time jobs. "People are now much more sensitive to what's going
on," he noted.
When
the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation decided to fund the program again
for 2004, Talbert said he was happy to continue on the advisory board
"because I think it is a very significant issue that we need to come to
grips with in our society." He also believes the problem of the
uninsured is a "clear example" of why a national health plan is needed.
In
"A Call to Care for People Without Health Insurance," members of the
interfaith advisory board noted their "long tradition of caring for
people who suffer in mind, body and spirit."
That
commitment includes seeking compassionate public health care policies.
"Because all of our faith traditions, despite encompassing a wide
spectrum of beliefs, hold central a conviction that life is a gift from
God to be cherished and that God's people are called to care for one
another, provide healing and prevent suffering with compassion and a
commitment to justice, today we proclaim the call to care for our
nation's nearly 44 million uninsured people," the board stated.
Suggestions
for answering the call include reflecting on texts and teachings of
faith to gain an understanding of the needs of the uninsured; learning
more about the plight of the uninsured and potential solutions through
study, discussion and participation in the week's events; reaching out
to help people without health coverage and focusing attention on the
issue to promote dialogue among all Americans.
Study
guides, action kits with prayers, bulletin inserts and activity
suggestions, and other resources have been prepared for congregations.
Information about resources and events is available at http://covertheuninsuredweek.org online.
News media can contact Linda Bloom at (646) 369-3759 or newsdesk@umcom.org.