Pelosi hails church for health reform efforts
By Kathy Gilbert
United Methodist News Service
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.”
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.
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.
United Methodist Congresswoman Laura Richardson of California voted for the legislation.
“While this legislation does not include a 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.
Dutch Ruppersberger, (D), a United Methodist from Maryland, also voted yes on the bill.
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.
The denomination, 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 simul-taneous 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.
United Methodist News Service
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.”
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.
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.
United Methodist Congresswoman Laura Richardson of California voted for the legislation.
“While this legislation does not include a 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.
Dutch Ruppersberger, (D), a United Methodist from Maryland, also voted yes on the bill.
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.
The denomination, 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 simul-taneous 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.
Login/Register to leave comment