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By United Methodist News Service*
UPDATED 6:00 P.M. EST March 22, 2010 | NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS)
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
The landmark vote on health care by the House of Representatives
March 21 affirms The United Methodist Church’s Social Principles that
declares health care is a “basic human right,” the top executive of the
denomination’s social action agency said.
"For decades, the General Board of Church and Society has worked
alongside thousands of United Methodists to achieve health care for all
in the U.S.," said Jim Winkler, chief executive of the United Methodist
Board of Church and Society. "This vote brings us closer to that
reality."
The majority of United Methodist lawmakers in the House voted against
the plan. However, in her closing remarks before the legislation was
approved, Speaker Nancy Pelosi referred to The United Methodist Church
as one of many organizations “sending a clear message to members of
Congress: Say yes to health care reform.” More specifically, the Board
of Church and Society is included on Pelosi’s Web site listing
organizations supporting reform.
While it has historically supported access to health care for all,
the denomination’s top lawmaking assembly did not act on the specific
legislation. General Conference, held every four years, last met in
2008.
Differing opinions
United Methodists, like most Americans, have taken different
positions on the basic legislation approved by the House. Opponents of
the legislation have cited its cost, its expansion of federal power and
concerns that it would reverse past policy by allowing federal funding
of abortions.
The United Methodist Church is third among religious groups in the
total number of members of the 111th Congress. Among its 44 members in
the House, 26 voted no; 18 voted yes.
“There are parts of this bill that are good, including much-needed
health insurance reforms and making health insurance affordable for the
uninsured,” said Rep. Mike Ross, a United Methodist from Arkansas who
opposed the legislation. “On the other hand, many parts of this bill
cause me great concern, like telling people they must buy health
insurance or be fined, cutting Medicare by more than a half-trillion
dollars, increasing taxes and forcing businesses to provide health
insurance to their employees.”
Rep. Marion Berry, a United Methodist from Arkansas, said health care
reform “must be deficit-neutral and must be fully paid for by squeezing
out more savings from the pharmaceutical manufacturers and private
insurance industry instead of cramming down hospitals and other
providers and taxing Americans.”
United Methodist Congresswoman Laura Richardson of California voted
for the legislation.
“While this legislation does not include an comprehensive full public
option as the House of Representatives preferred, it is a giant step
forward in beginning the reform of our nation’s current neglectful
health care system,” she said.
Palmer rejoices
Bishop Gregory Palmer, president of the Council of Bishops, said he
“rejoiced” at the passage of the bill because it aligns with the values
of The United Methodist Church.
Though the denomination’s chief legislative body, the General
Conference, has taken no stand, it has been a strong advocate for
universal health care.
The United Methodist Church in its law book states: “We believe it is
a governmental responsibility to provide all citizens with health
care.”
The 2008 United Methodist Book of Resolutions adds: “In the United
States today, however, fulfillment of this duty is thwarted by
simultaneous crises of access, quality, and cost. The result of these
crises is injustice to the most vulnerable, increased risk to health
care consumers, and waste of scarce public and private resources.”
Resolution 3201 in the United Methodist Book of Resolutions charges
the United Methodist Board of Church and Society with primary
responsibility for advocating health care for all in the United States
Congress. The resolution
was approved by the 2008 General Conference, the denomination’s highest
policy-making body.
Paul Brown, a Duke graduate student, called for unity amid
disagreement.
“Sisters and brothers, our unity is grounded in Jesus Christ—not in
the details of health care reform,” he wrote on the denomination’s
Facebook site. “As a church that includes both Hillary Clinton and
George W. Bush as members, we are free to disagree on various social
issues, but we remain united in one Lord, one faith, and one baptism.”
News media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615)
742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
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