As this debate moves toward conclusion, it is crucial that we remember why we’re trying to provide quality, affordable health care to Virginia’s families. In March 2009, the Episcopal Church published its position on health reform in a booklet titled “Promoting Health Care for All.” The booklet was circulated by the Episcopal Public Policy Network, and includes this quote from the Book of Common Prayer:
“Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those who are broken in body and spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
But the Episcopal Church is not alone. In June 2009 other Christians have also declared that health reform was an urgent priority in a press release: “The health of our neighbors and the wholeness of the nation now require that all segments of our society join in finding a solution to this national challenge.”
Recently, the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia supported a resolution reiterating “the Gospel message of concern for others which extends to concern for their physical health as well as spiritual well being.”
“Now as we approach the final stages of crafting a solution, we must remember the moral imperatives that undergird this effort.”
As in the following: http://geoconger.wordpress.com/2009/12/28/us-church-backs-abortion-funding-cen-12-18-09-p-5/
The Episcopal Church has endorsed a letter to members of the United States Senate endorsing taxpayer funding of abortions.
On Dec 4, the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice released a letter endorsed by the Episcopal Church, Catholics for Choice and other liberal religious groups expressing their opposition to an amendment to the health care reform bill before Congress that would remove abortion funding from the proposed legislation.
“We believe that it is our social and moral obligation to ensure access to high quality comprehensive health care services at every stage in an individual’s life,†the RCRC letter said, noting that “affordable and accessible care for all†was “necessary for the well-being of all people in our nation.â€
Abortion was an essential element of this health care, the letter said. The RCRC claimed the “House-passed version of health reform includes language that imposes significant new restrictions on access to abortion services. This provision would result in women losing health coverage they currently have, an unfortunate contradiction to the basic guiding principle of health care reform.â€
Providing abortion coverage in the bill was “a moral imperative†and the “selective withdrawal of critical health coverage from women is both a violation of this imperative and a betrayal of the public good.â€
http://www.rcrc.org/about/members.cfm
Given TEC’s endorsement of abortion, one wonders whether they are also presently supporting the work of what was once referred to as the Hemlock Society.
Remember,
“Government Healthe Care will Make you Free” if they decide you are worth of care.