Faith Groups Engage on Reform

By John Amick

Members of Jewish, Muslim and Christian denominations gathered yesterday for a "Religious Leaders Health Care Summit" on Capitol Hill hosted by the Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism, the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society, The National Coalition on Health Care and Families USA.

A main plank for the meeting is a statement, signed by 47 religious leaders from around the country, pressing the moral urgency for health-care reform.

"Rising unemployment, underemployment and a decline in employment benefits have deprived many more of health care," the statement reads. "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."

The event featured speakers deeply involved in the political wrangling over reform on both ends of Pennsylvania Ave. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), among others, addressed the summit.

Thus far in the reform debate, a smattering of faith groups have joined the push for various tenets they'd like to see in prospective legislation. Groups have been vocal on both keeping initiatives out, such as the Family Research Council's opposition to any support of abortion in the legislation, and applauding affordability issues, signified by faith-based organizing group PICO's support of Sen. Ted Kennedy's reform plan.