Today voters in Massachusetts are selecting the successor to the U. S. Senate seat long occupied by Edward (Ted) Kennedy. Almost unbelievably, at least by conventional wisdom of two months ago, there seems to be a real possibility that the Republican candidate can claim the seat. Two theories and a multitude of hybrids thereof have been offered as explanation of this change in sentiment. One is that Martha Coakley ran a horrid campaign as the Democratic candidate. The second, and the more intriguing for the national interest, is that what we really are witnessing is a mini-referendum on the massive health care reform package from Pres. Obama--if not on his entire legislative agenda. At least the smaller claim has some validity, given that State Rep. Scott Brown, as the Republican candidate, has stated in unequivocal terms his opposition to the bill now in House-Senate negotiations.
Why does this matter? Well, the two issues brought together in this conversation--health care distribution and payment on one hand, politics on the other--are very much matters of our lives together in the world. As such, they are of concern to Christians who are called to participate in God's redemptive activity in this world. One cannot read the gospel accounts of Jesus' ministry and conclude that physical and mental health are irrelevant to God. Going just a bit further, one will also note that the healing ministry of both Jesus and his disciples after the resurrection did not favor or discriminate against rich or poor.
In politics, there are unquestionably ways to conduct the necessary business of governing which are closer to and farther from the ways of the kingdom of God, especially with regard to how those ways respect, honor, and reflect the image of God in all persons. To participate in the world in redemptive ways takes note of how Jesus participated in the world of the first century Jerusalem and Judea. While that does not immediately yield easy answers for policy, it does rule out, in my view, some of the cynicism and caustic rhetoric coming from both liberal and conservative quarters. It means we try to find truth in both the existing situations and proposed solutions, rather than venting over half-truths and inuendo. How can we contribute to a move toward the ways of God's Kingdom, rather than away from it, not only in policy, but in the manner in which the debates are conducted. There are times that I agree with the ideas of, for instance, an ann Coulter or Rush Limbaugh; but there are few times I want them to speak for me, for they do so in a most un-Jesus like fashion.
I don't know what will ensue from this election or from the final health reform attempt. But I do need to look at it and talk about it as much as possible through the eyes and mind of Jesus.
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So many of the health institutions in the US were started and operated for many many years by religious orders, and by denominational organizations. Some still are to a certain extent, but the complexities from when they were launched to this day and age is an incredible gap. One wonders who/what caused that gap. But I doubt it was those religious providers or the first few generations of charity cases they took in.
ReplyDeleteWhat is interesting is the current generation of Christian effort in Health care.
http://medi-share.org/
Notice anything different?
There is no "other" there.
The thing in MA is they already have mandatory heatlh insurance. A national bill would give them potentially higher taxes with little added benefit. No wonder.
ReplyDeleteI believe that basic healthcare should be reasonably affordable to everyone.
I've sometimes wondered if the church ought be have more involvement with helping people here. One problem is that the costs can be so huge.
A co-op type of plan could work.