The Nation has published an article suggesting, on the basis of efforts for health care reform in California and Massachusetts, that current proposals for national health care reform being advanced by all the presidential candidates may fall far short of meeting the needs.

Market-based efforts, working through existing insurance companies, simply leave too many people out. Ultimately, says the author, “any effective reform will have to bring everyone into the insurance tent.”

Families USA (“The Voice for Health Care Consumers”) announces Health Action 2008, a national grassroots meeting, in Washington, DC, January 24-26, 2008

Clearly health care will be a major legislative issue in 2008, and this national gathering will be a chance to join with others “to see what lessons we can learn from the past—assess our strengths, build our skills, hone our messages.”

More >>

~~~~~~~~~~~

The leading Democratic candidates’ proposals for universal health care

or ...  “They have seen the enemy – and surrendered” – Barbara Ehrenreich

Len Rodberg, Research Director of the New York Metro Chapter, Physicians for a National Health Program, offers a brief and critical survey of healthcare proposals being put forward by the three leading Democratic candidates for President. He concludes:

None of these plans will truly provide universal access to care. They do not overcome the very significant deficiencies of private insurance. None assures the American people of comprehensive coverage, none offers a realistic way of containing the rising cost of health care, and all would add additional funds to an already too-costly system.

They are at best a diversion from the direction we should be going, toward the creation of a single national, publicly-funded insurance pool that can provide comprehensive, continuous, cost-effective coverage along with the budgetary tools needed to begin containing costs.

This announcement comes from Families USA

We are happy to inform you that we have recently created a new Faith-Based Resource Center on our Web site. This new resource center is intended to empower those in the faith community who wish to advocate for high-quality, affordable health care for all and, at the same time, to help advocates seeking to reach out to communities of faith.

To receive e-mails specifically related to faith-based health care access efforts, click here to sign up.

The tools and resources on the site outline specific strategies for the faith community to use in achieving health care equity. In the days to come, we hope to add additional resources to this list. Some of the resources currently on the Web site include:

Faithful America reminds us that Cover the Uninsured Week 2007 is next week (April 23 –29) and faith communities across the country are getting involved to help get America’s kids covered!

This year, with reauthorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) pending, Cover the Uninsured Week will focus on covering kids as an important first step toward covering all Americans.

1. Help get uninsured kids covered.
Learn about what individuals are doing in your community to help uninsured kids get covered and get involved. Order and distribute free bookmarks that tell parents of uninsured children how to get them covered at www.CoverTheUninsured.org/materials.

2. Explore these issues in prayer and study.
Unite as a community to ensure all Americans gain health care coverage, allowing the gift of health to prosper. Hold study groups and interfaith prayer breakfasts to explore this issue in your community. View a growing list of events taking place in your community and across the country at www.CoverTheUninsured.org/events.

3. Download and distribute faith-specific materials.
Download and distribute materials tailored specifically for the faith community at www.CoverTheUninsured.org/faith, including:

Materials for Prayer, Study and Action (Christian, Jewish and Muslim traditions) – For use in the weeks leading up to, during and after Cover the Uninsured Week. Includes action steps, group discussion resources, prayers, sermon resources and bulletin insert/flier attachments.

Call to Care – Can be used as a responsive reading or to raise awareness. The Call to Care may also be used at prayer breakfasts, in newsletters or bulletins, or posted in gathering places.

A Call for Health Coverage – Download and distribute this poster signed by the National Interfaith Advisory Board calling for our nation’s leaders to make children’s health coverage a top priority.

Action Steps for Faith Communities – Suggested activities for getting involved in Cover the Uninsured Week.

Getting Started – How to begin outreach to faith communities.

How to Plan an Interfaith Prayer Breakfast – A step-by-step guide.

Template Materials – Including a bulletin insert, listserv, letter to a faith leader and certificate of thanks that you can tailor.

To download a Cover the Uninsured Week Web button or logo for your Web site, go to www.CoverTheUninsured.org/materials/download. You can also view a short video about Cover the Uninsured Week at www.CoverTheUninsured.org. This video will be available to order at www.CoverTheUninsured.org/materials for use at congregation functions, coalition meetings, or other events.

Two primary care physicians at Cambridge Hospital, who are also associate professors at Harvard Medical School, argue that the proposed "Health Care For All" program in Massachusetts will provide far less than it promises.

May 1-7 is Cover the Uninsured Week

Together with the National Council of Churches, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and others, Faithful America is encouraging faith communities across the country to join the largest movement on behalf of uninsured Americans by becoming a national supporter of Cover the Uninsured Week 2006.

Nearly 46 million Americans are living without health coverage, including more than 8 million children. During May 1-7, 2006, thousands of activities will take place in all 50 states and the District of Columbia to tell Congress that health coverage for Americans must be their top priority. Activities include press conferences, health and enrollment fairs, business leader summits, interfaith activities, small business seminars, campus outreach and more.

More information >>  

Contributions for "It's a Matter of Faith" can be made through regular PC(USA) giving channels or by mail to Individual Remittance Processing, P.O. Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700. Write ECO #862706 on your check.

For more information or to donate online, visit www.pcusa.org/aids-international.

For a free booklet and congregational resource packet about international AIDS ministries, call (800) 524-2612 and ask for PDS 74330-05-002; or visit www.pcusa.org/marketplace. The booklet also was inserted into the September issue of Presbyterians Today magazine.