CTK SOWERS » Health Care

Series of Forums on the State of Health Care in Minnesota

dkelley — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 21:07:22 +0000

The Church of St. Patrick in Edina will present the first in a series of forums on the state of health care in Minnesota on Thursday, April 14, from 7:00 to 9:00pm. The speaker/moderator will be Dr. Edward Ehlinger, Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner. Title: “The Pros and Cons of Health Care Reform: How It Will Affect Minnesotans.” This and subsequent forums will be sponsored by a consortium of churches in the Archdiocese. All those interested are invited to attend and participate in frank, direct and honest discussions about the facts and realities of the health care law and reform bills being discussed in Congress. “We are plagued,” the invitation reads, “with myths and half-truths that make it difficult for the general public to know what to think. There will be time devoted to addressing questions from the audience.”

Add Your Support to Saving Medical Assistance for the Poor

dkelley — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:34:12 +0000

State legislators make it sound as if the GAMC (general medical assistance for the poor and underprivileged making less than $7,800 a year) has been saved. Not so. It’s been “transferred” to a state program that’s much too restrictive. Saving GAMC will be the center point of the 2010 legislative agenda of the Office of Social Justice — and it needs the support of all of us in the Archdiocese. Here are some steps we can take:

Join others at a “Save GAMC” forum to strategize ways to sell legislators on the importance of saving GAMC. Saturday, January 23rd, at 10:00am at St. Edward’s Church just off Normandale Blvd. on 94th St. in Bloomington.
Also mark down February 4th from 11:30am to 1:00pm — the first day of the 2010 legislative session — for a rally calling on legislators to fix the GAMC crisis and protect Minnesota’s most vulnerable adults by continuing to provide them with necessary health coverage.

Have You Added Your Voice to Health Care Reform?

dkelley — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:20:22 +0000

Now is the time, while our elected officials are home for the month, to let them know how we feel about the many elements of healthcare reform being discussed on the airwaves, in public forums, in the media. Make a difference! Make three phone calls or send three emails and ask your friends and families to do the same. Pick your representatives from the list below.

Here’s the position of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:

a truly universal health policy with respect for human life and dignity
access for all with a special concern for the poor and inclusion of legal immigrants
pursuing the common good and preserving pluralism including freedom of conscience and variety of options
restraining costs and applying them equitably across the spectrum of payers

And here’s what Bishop William F. Murphy has said: ”Genuine health care reform that protects the life and dignity of all is a moral imperative and a vital national obligation.”

Senator Amy Klobuchar:
Metro Area Number:612-727-5220
Email: Click Here

Senator Al Franken:
Metro Area Number: 651-221-1016
Email: Click Here

Representative Keith Ellison
Metro Area Number: 612-522-1212
Email: Click here

Representative John Kline:
Metro Area Number: 952-808-1213
Email: Click here

Representative Erik Paulsen
Metro Area Number: 952-405-8510
Email: Click Here

Representative Betty McCollum
Metro Area Number: 651-224-9191
Email: Click Here

Representative Michele Bachman
Metro Area Number: 651-731-5400
Email: Click Here

Representative James Oberstar
Duluth Area Number: 218-727-7474
Email: Click Here

Rochester Area Number: 507-206-0643

Email: Click Here

Detroit Lakes Area Number: 218-847-5056

Emails: Click Here

Representative Collin Peterson

Representative Tim Walz

Organizing for Healthcare

dkelley — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 21:31:10 +0000

President Obama has distributed a message to all Americans asking them to join together and fight for health insurance reform at local events during August when “the fight for reform leaves the backrooms of Washington and returns to communities across America.” He asks that we show up at softball games and town meetings and everyplace where people gather to talk about what matters most . . . to help win this historic campaign for the guaranteed, affordable health insurance that every American deserves.”

Organizing for America is putting together thousands of events this month where you can reach out to neighbors, show your support, and make certain your members of Congress know that you’re counting on them to act. To find an event in our community at which you can help to build support for health insurance reform click on http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/hceventattend

A Christian Creed on Health Care Reform

dkelley — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 20:24:59 +0000

We as Christians must affirm that we believe in quality, affordable access to life-giving services for all people. To add our voice to other Christians who have made such an affirmation we have the opportunity to sign “A Christian Creed on Health-Care Reform.” To call up the Creed go to http://go.sojo.net/campaign/health_care, follow the instructions for adding your signature, and a copy of it will be sent to your members of Congress. Here’s the text of the body of the letter:

As one of God’s children, I believe that protecting the health of each human being is a profoundly important personal and communal responsibility for people of faith.

I believe God created each person in the divine image to be spiritually and physically healthy. I feel the pain of sickness and disease in our broken world (Genesis 1:27, Romans 8:22).

I believe life and healing are core tenets of the Christian life. Christ’s ministry included physical healing, and we are called to participate in God’s new creation as instruments of healing and redemption (Matthew 4:23, Luke 9:1-6; Mark 7:32-35, Acts 10:38). Our nation should strive to ensure all people have access to life-giving treatments and care.

I believe, as taught by the Hebrew prophets and Jesus, that the measure of a society is seen in how it treats the most vulnerable. The current discussion about health-care reform is important for the United States to move toward a more just system of providing care to all people (Isaiah 1:16-17, Jeremiah 7:5-7, Matthew 25:31-45).

I believe that all people have a moral obligation to tell the truth. To serve the common good of our entire nation, all parties debating reform should tell the truth and refrain from distorting facts or using fear-based messaging (Leviticus 19:11; Ephesians 4:14-15, 25; Proverbs 6:16-19).

I believe that Christians should seek to bring health and well-being (shalom) to the society into which God has placed us, for a healthy society benefits all members (Jeremiah 29:7).

I believe in a time when all will live long and healthy lives, from infancy to old age (Isaiah 65:20), and “mourning and crying and pain will be no more” (Revelation 21:4). My heart breaks for my brothers and sisters who watch their loved ones suffer, or who suffer themselves, because they cannot afford a trip to the doctor. I stand with them in their suffering.

I believe health-care reform must rest on a foundation of values that affirm each and every life as a sacred gift from the Creator (Genesis 2:7).

Amen.

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