Kathy,
Thanks for this very helpful email on health care, it is nice to see a personal story behind it, and how it affects both your family and many families you see at the preschool.
It really is interesting all the dirt/misinformation that is being created about this, especially the public option like was evident at the town hall mtg. in PA with Arlen Specter. How strange that people there thought that this health care effort was “going against the Constitution” making us “socialist like Russia” (I could see a comparison to France or Western Europe, but Russia???) and people saying (in anger) that “God would judge him [Specter]” for his efforts in reform. Wow.
I am also curious to learn more about healthcare options that various Christian groups set up that are “off the grid” so to speak – co-op types, I guess they would be referred to. I just googled one right now http://www.cbnews.org/howitworks.asp (Christian Healthcare Ministries) but of course I can’t vouch for this group in particular (I am always wary of scams), but it is just neat to know there are groups out there trying to provide alternate networks as well, with a love-based focus and an emphasis on Christians (and others) sharing each other’s burdens.
I even got a call from the Democratic National Committee asking for a donation to help fund their effort to get the legislation through and provide clear education and outreach on the issues. The only thing that can get really confusing for me is all the bureaucracy, special interests, and other factors that can “touch” or influence the process. This is where I think it would ideally be better if somehow the Church (universally) could provide support and healthcare, but of course that is tremendously complicated and is like I said an ideal. But one that apparently people successfully pursue. I remember a story from Shane Claiborne about how he participated in a Christian health care fund, contributed to it regularly, and then when he needed a procedure, it swooped in and paid for his costs!
Certainly a public government plan is something that Christians (in my humble opinion) should push for, it’s just always a little scary because who knows what the final product may be – but as long as it’s better than what we’ve got now, that’s something everyone can be proud of. I recall projections of just how much healthcare will be costing the country in 10, 20 years and it is mind-boggling…
I know this was a long reply to a long letter, but it really sparked some thoughts and I wanted to share them with you all! I happen to be in town in Raleigh this weekend and am looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow morning at church!
Much love,
Ethan
