7 theses on health care

Theses on the American Church and the health-care crisis.

1. The current system of health care in America is broken. It is driven by profit, not by people; our application of greed-based capitalistic principles to this basic human need has succeeded only in creating structures that place the financial gain of insurers above the medical needs of patients. This is, undoubtedly, a great evil.
2. The Jesus of the canonical gospels emphasized both ministry to and solidarity with the downtrodden, the marginalized, and the poor.
3. Those among whom Jesus walked included the sick, and indeed in Luke 4:18-19, where the social implications of Jesus' message become clear, the giving of sight to the blind is listed side-by-side with the preaching of good news to the poor and with the liberation of the oppressed.
4. In America today, the health-care crisis has marginalized many, struck others into poverty, and taken its worst toll upon those who are already among the "least of these". These are precisely the people with whom Jesus expressed solidarity. We too, as the Church in America, must take their side.
5. Thus, the American Church must unite around the cause of providing adequate health care for all according to their need.
6. Christians of good intent will undoubtedly disagree about how best this necessary goal is to be accomplished. Not all will favor any specific proposal, nor will all be able in good conscience to unite around any specific plan.
7. Thus, in navigating the complexity of this crisis, we must maintain humility while remaining resolute in pursuing justice, mercy, and equity in medical care.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives,
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.
[Luke 4.18-19 nrsv]

(Originally published at my blog)