Abundant life: And many were healed

And many were healed: Health care for all

The statistics are shocking and shameful. Half of all bankruptcies in the U.S. are a result of health-related bills. We are the only industrialized nation not to have some form of universal health care.

Currently, 47 million Americans lack health insurance. Another 16 million are underinsured. Heart-wrenching stories in the news illustrate the cracks in the system – a child dies from an abscess tooth; a young woman dies from a treatable chronic illness.

The system is broken.

Choose a Sunday to pray, reflect and act

Health care reform continues to be debated in the U.S. Congress. Use the resources below to advocate for health care for all.

Advocacy resources

• Washington Memo: And Many Were Healed: Health Care for All – background, worship, and advocacy resources (2009)
• Sample advocacy letter
• Sermon ideas
• Healthcare Access: Public Policy Advocacy Guide from MCUSA (2007)
• Healing Healthcare: A Study and Action Guide on Healthcare Access in the United States from the Anabaptist Center for Healthcare Ethics (2005)
• Action Alerts
• MCC Washington Memo Blog - weekly updates
   

Additional resources

Denominational statements and plans

• *NEW* MCUSA Healthcare Access Conference Calls (audio and text)
• MCUSA Resolution on National Healthcare Policy: Next Step (2009)
• MCUSA Healthcare Policy Principles (2007) (PDF)
• MCUSA Healthcare Access Statement (2007)
• MCUSA Peace and Justice Support Network - Healthcare Access
• Information on Brethren in Christ Denominational Health Plan
   

Mennonite Mutual Aid (MMA)

• Resources on stewardship of health
• Carried to Jesus the Healer – a worship resource originally prepared for Celebrating Health Sunday in 2007 (PDF)
• Body Talk: Speaking the Words of Health by Ingrid Friesen Moser – integrates Biblical text with stories and opportunities for reflection and learning through a 12-chapter Bible study
   

White House and Capitol Hill

• White House: HealthReform.gov and Reality Check FAQ
• Senate: Finance Committee and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee
• House: Affordable Health Care for America Act
   

Other links

• Faithful Reform in Health Care - weekly phone calls, worship and advocacy resources
• Kaiser Family Foundation side-by-side analysis of the various proposals
• Mythbusting: Politifact.com, Media Matters and an article on end-of-life counseling
• Two-page fact sheet: The Truth About Health Care Reform (PDF)
• Materials for Christian Prayer and Study from Cover the Uninsured – bulletin inserts, Bible study, prayers and sermon resources
• Building a Better Health Care System from the National Coalition on Health Care
• National Health Ministries: Health, Healing and Wholeness from the Presbyterian Church