Jim Wallis and other faith leaders from across America kicked off “40 Days for Health Reform” – a massive effort to ensure that Congress passes reform legislation that extends quality, affordable health care to every American family. The launch included the announcement that President Obama has accepted the faith community’s invitation to participate in a nationwide call-in and audio Webcast on health-care reform with people of faith from across America on August 19, sponsored by an unprecedented coalition of more than 25 religious denominations and organizations.
The faith leaders also announced a new national television ad (see video below) featuring local evangelical, Catholic, and mainline pastors, and other people of faith. The faith leaders also announced the National Health Care Sermon Weekend to be held on the weekend of August 28, in which diverse Christian, Muslim, and Jewish clergy will preach about health-care reform in congregations nationwide.
Jim Wallis said, “Industry interests and partisan fighting are once again threatening the current opportunity for a public dialogue about what is best for our health-care system. What we need is an honest and fair debate with good information, not sabotage of reform with half-truths and misinformation. This next 40 days will serve as a truth-telling campaign that cuts through the rhetoric and lies and is built upon a strong moral foundation of support from diverse faith communities.”
As special interests that oppose reform distort, disrupt, and shut down dialogue across the country, it’s more urgent than ever for people of faith from across the political spectrum committed to honest dialogue and quality health care for all Americans to raise their unique moral witness for health-care reform. The need for honest dialogue and quality, affordable health care is highlighted by faith leaders’ experiences in their own congregations.
Health-care reform is a moral issue rooted in scripture, as well as personal experience. “Pastors and local churches have a key role to play in helping their members and communities to understand the issue of health care from a biblical perspective, and inviting thoughtful, reasoned discussion in how best to move forward in reforming health care,” said Rev. Adam Hamilton, Senior Pastor of the 13,000-member Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas.
Clergy are engaging the health-care debate not only in congregations, but also in public events across the country, beginning tomorrow; these events will reach more than 100 members of Congress. The events, organized by members of PICO National Network, are targeted at key legislators who will have critical roles in reform legislation. Also, member groups of the Faithful Reform in Health Care Coalition are organizing events across the country, including candlelight vigils and prayer services, as well as visits with members of Congress
Kevin Lum is congregational network coordinator at Sojourners.
To learn more about health-care reform, click here to visit Sojourners’ Health-Care Resources Web page.
