I've opined previously that health care is a Christian value, that Jesus exhorted us to care for each other, and we should support policies that espouse that value. Real health care reform epitomizes the very core of Christ's teachings: "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." I have asked fellow Christians why they would fight against this reform and none of what they have offered as reasons can be reconciled to that which Christ has taught us.
I have been told Christ wants us to act as individuals, and not have the government "force it" upon us. Where in the bible does Christ say that "Do unto others, but don't ask the same from your government?" If we care about acting upon Christ's teachings, why would we not support policies that do the same? Why would we support policies that oppose helping the least among us? How does one reconcile wanting to help others on an individual level, but support policies that undermine that effort? Beyond that, is it realistic to expect that individual Christians can provide health care? Can we as individuals provide access to MRIs, or chemotherapy, or surgery, for those who need it and don't otherwise have access? WE CAN'T. This is a need that is far greater than what individuals can provide, which is why we, as individuals, are failing miserably. Tens of thousands of people die every year, because we cannot fill this need. So we should support policies that will fulfill this need, and we should not give in to the fear and falsehoods that are being argued against it.
Another argument I have heard, along the same vein, is that people shouldn't have their hard earned money taken from them to support people who . . . and you can fill in the rest of that with all manner of judgment; who chose to go without insurance; who are going to use that care to seek abortion (a whole other conversation in and of itself), who are sick because they are drug addicts or alcoholics . . . the list is endless. To those who make these arguments, I have one simple question. What would have become of us if Jesus had approached caring for others with the same level of judgment and condemnation? What if Jesus had said "You know, Heavenly Father, I don't want to spill my blood for people who are so sinful and unrighteous and just plain undeserving." Where would we be if Jesus had decided we just don't deserve his mercy and sacrifice? Christ gave it all away for free. He asked for nothing in return. Not a commitment of faith, not a promise of piety. He gave his life without judgment. If we are to be TRUE followers of Christ, then we should strive to do the same. Christ didn't beseech us to provide for only those we deem worthy.
Returning to the abortion excuse - there are a number of tangents to be addressed. Believe me when I say I understand the position that says,"I don't want my money used to fund something that my faith tells me is wrong." I get it, because we are now in year eight of a war about which I feel exactly the same. My money has been spent waging an illegal and unjustified war that has resulted in thousands of innocents dying. My money has been spent torturing people, many of whom are innocent. This is the nature of democracy. We all will have our tax money support things to which we are morally opposed. It is the giant grain of salt we all must swallow if we want to live in a country that respects all views and beliefs. Beyond that simple truth, however, is a far more complex and grey issue that is being used as a weapon to deny people the most basic of care. Using abortion as an argument against health care is to willingly sacrifice the lives of husbands, wives, fathers and mothers. The vast majority of the uninsured, the people who would be covered by tax dollars, are not going to be getting abortions. They are going to be getting well checks and preventative care and, when necessary, treatment for serious illness. Are you willing to say to these people,"Sorry, but I don't want to provide for your healthcare because a small minority of you *might* seek an abortion"? Trade places for a moment and ask, are you willing to sacrifice your own life, or your child's life to prevent someone else from seeking an abortion? Abortion is not a clear black and white issue, because even a majority of "pro-life" proponents can say "I oppose abortion EXCEPT IN CASES OF . . . " Where there is exception is where the issue becomes grey. Abortion is an issue that is complicated and is completely separate from the black and white issue of whether everyone deserves access to health care. It is wrong to use the former as an excuse to prevent the latter. Which brings me back to the basic point. Christ wanted us to care for each other, to tend to each other, to feed the hungry, house the homeless, to tend to the sick WITHOUT EXCEPTION, WITHOUT JUDGMENT. True followers of Christ should support the policies that champion that basic tenet. Health care for all does just that and Christians should be fighting for its passage, not against it.
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