Health Care Reform 2010: Seeking a moral vision Faithful Reform in Health Care February 2010 ...

Health Care Reform 2010:Health Care Reform 2010:

Seeking a moral visionSeeking a moral vision

Faithful Reform in Health CareFaithful Reform in Health Care

February 2010February 2010

http://www.faithfulreform.orghttp://www.faithfulreform.org


A Prayer for Health Care ReformA Prayer for Health Care Reform

In the presence of all that is holy within and around us, and in the sacred bonds of our common humanity, we give thanks for the life that we share and for our calling to care for each other. We remember our brothers and sisters who suffer or die for lack of needed health care. We confess that we have fallen short in caring for every member of our human family, and that in spite of our abundant resources we have failed to ensure that all may receive the health care they need for the life that is intended for every person.

So we pray for forgiveness… for hearts that have been slow to feel another’s pain… for hands that have been still when a healing touch was needed… and for voices that have remained silent while millions suffer for lack of needed health care. May the valleys and the burdens of sickness and disease be conquered as we raise our voices of faith to the simple, moral, and merciful imperative of meeting one another’s health care needs. Amen.

33Faithful Reform in Health Faithful Reform in Health CareCare

A tale of 2 sonsA tale of 2 sons

A healthy insured teen who developed life-threatening complications from mono.

A healthy uninsured teen who left a football field during a game because he didn’t feel well.

44Faithful Reform in Health CareFaithful Reform in Health Care

A tale of 2 sonsA tale of 2 sons

After successful surgery to remove a tennis-ball abscess from his neck, Ryan is healthy, happy, and getting ready for a band trip to Italy and Germany.

Xavier died on the school track while waiting for the wash to finish at a nearby laundromat. He was dropped from Medicaid, and couldn’t get the testing he needed for a heart condition.


If all other industrialized democraciesIf all other industrialized democraciescan make health care available to allcan make health care available to alltheir people, their people, why can’t we?why can’t we?Why can some mothers in theWhy can some mothers in theU.S. get the health care theyU.S. get the health care theyneed for their families whileneed for their families whileothers cannot?others cannot?

Health care reform 2010Health care reform 2010


The imperatives for reformThe imperatives for reform

Medical Imperative: We’ve known for years that many people live sicker & die younger in the U.S. health system.

Economic Imperative: The escalating cost of health care and the resulting bankruptcies and burdens on businesses and governments seem to have been the catalyst for the current reform efforts.

Moral Imperative: The simple, moral, and merciful imperative for meeting one another’s needs – including needed health care – gives us the foundation for the choices that need to be made in moving health care reform forward.

MORAL

MEDICALECONOMIC

The challenges to reformThe challenges to reform

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The difficulties in passing health care reform have mirrored the historic challenges around this issue.

While they have played out as polarizing extremes, the truth is that the path forward is best found in dialogue around the diverse views… beginning with values-based moral consideration.


The issues: Challenge #1The issues: Challenge #1

Am I my brother’sor sister’s keeper?

Or…

Is health care primarily a personal

responsibility.

The moral dilemma



Moral commitment

We have to answer this question once and for all:

Do we want everyone to have

needed health care – or not?

How we answer this question will determine how we answer all others.



Agreement on the goal

Do we want to…

improve/guarantee access

or…

restrain the growth of costs?



All other industrialized democraciesAll other industrialized democracieshave found ways to maintain have found ways to maintain qualityqualitywhile addressing while addressing bothboth access access andand costs... costs...and so must we!and so must we!

ACCESS COST

QUALITY



Marketplace or the government?

Are human needs better served by markets, individual ownership, competition and profits, or by governments and laws that guarantee access and the fair distribution of costs?



The marketplace + the governmentThe marketplace + the governmentWe must find a solution with aWe must find a solution with a

creative mix ofcreative mix of

effective government regulation

fair market incentives

++



Political partisanship

The diverse perspectives on the first 3 challenges tend to align with the ideologies of the two political parties, and feed the partisanship that has limited the ability of parties to seek common ground for the common good.



Overcoming political partisanship will depend upon all of us demanding

dialogue

over “my-way-or-no-way” thinking… AND upon cultural transformation around shared moral values.

THE KEY? PEOPLE OF FAITH!!!



Economic self-interests of key players

Campaign contributors

& lobbyists affect: how issues are framed how bills are written which bills get committee hearings what goes to the floor for votes



Strong public demands for change, including voices

of faith, can:

Promote the common good as a benefit to everyone’s self-interest.

Prevent special interests from blocking progress toward reform.


Health care reform in our states andHealth care reform in our states andin our nation is inevitable…in our nation is inevitable…

Are Are people of faith people of faith prepared to beprepared to bethe change agents we are meant tothe change agents we are meant tobe… to ensure that systemic reformbe… to ensure that systemic reform““bends toward justice”? bends toward justice”? (ML KING, JR.)(ML KING, JR.)

Health care reform 2010Health care reform 2010


A VisionA Vision

In calling us to partnership in completing creation, and creating a world of justice and peace, God has ennobled humanity to raise above mere biological existence and give into our lives destiny and meaning and purpose… That call to provide that moral witness… is a fulfillment of God’s call for us to be partners in shaping this better more hopeful future for all of God’s children.

Rabbi David Saperstein

Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism

Video, Vision and Voice curriculum


““A Faith-Inspired VisionA Faith-Inspired Vision

of Health Care”of Health Care”

Developed as a moral witness grounded in theDeveloped as a moral witness grounded in the

shared values from the sacred texts of ourshared values from the sacred texts of our

diverse communities of faith.diverse communities of faith.


A VisionA Vision


As people of faith, we envision a societyAs people of faith, we envision a society

where each person is afforded health,where each person is afforded health,

wholeness and human dignity.wholeness and human dignity.

That vision embraces a system of healthThat vision embraces a system of health

care that is inclusive, accessible,care that is inclusive, accessible,

affordable, and accountable.affordable, and accountable.

A VisionA Vision


A Vision: InclusiveA Vision: Inclusive

Health care is a shared responsibility that is grounded in our common humanity.

The values: inclusive community… common good… care for one another… compassion… sharing our abundant health care resources with everyone.


A Vision: AffordableA Vision: Affordable

Health care must contribute to the common good by being affordable for individuals, families and society as a whole.

Values: abundant resources… meet the needs of one another… faithful stewardship… equity


A Vision: AccessibleA Vision: Accessible

All persons should have access to health services that provide necessary care and contribute to wellness.

Values: health and wholeness… act with justice and love… overcome all barriers… eliminate disparities


Our health care system must be accountable,Our health care system must be accountable,

offering a quality, equitable and sustainableoffering a quality, equitable and sustainable

means of keeping us healthy as individualsmeans of keeping us healthy as individuals

and as a community.and as a community.

Values: responsibility for the care of ourValues: responsibility for the care of our

bodies… work in partnership… timely, qualitybodies… work in partnership… timely, quality

and safe care that treats body, mind & spirit.and safe care that treats body, mind & spirit.

A Vision: AccountableA Vision: Accountable


From this vision, questions of justiceFrom this vision, questions of justice

arise to help us reflect upon proposalsarise to help us reflect upon proposals

for health care reform:for health care reform: Who’s included? Who’s excluded?Who’s included? Who’s excluded? Who pays? Who profits?Who pays? Who profits? Who profits at the expense of those Who profits at the expense of those

who cannot pay?who cannot pay?

The measure of justiceThe measure of justice


And additional questions of justice:And additional questions of justice:

Whose voices are being heard? Whose Whose voices are being heard? Whose voices are not being heard?voices are not being heard?

Who’s accountable? To whom?Who’s accountable? To whom?

The measure of justiceThe measure of justice

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So… Where are we?So… Where are we?

A favorite cartoon character reminds us that major change is not easy!

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Where are we?Where are we?

3030



For people of faith…For people of faith…

““unwarranted optimism”unwarranted optimism”

= = unbridled hopeunbridled hope. .

Our faith histories have taught us what itOur faith histories have taught us what it

means to survive the wilderness. Wemeans to survive the wilderness. We

know what hope and vision can do!know what hope and vision can do!



Success!Success!

We passed comprehensive reform inWe passed comprehensive reform in

the 5 committees of jurisdiction:the 5 committees of jurisdiction:

2 in the Senate2 in the Senate 3 in the House of Representatives3 in the House of Representatives

Why be hopeful?Why be hopeful?


Success!Success!

2 Senate committee bills2 Senate committee bills

1 Senate bill 1 Senate bill (H.R. 3590)(H.R. 3590) (passed with 60 votes - Dec. 24, 2009)(passed with 60 votes - Dec. 24, 2009)

3 House committee bills3 House committee bills

1 House bill 1 House bill (H.R. 3962)(H.R. 3962) (passed with 220 votes – Nov. 7, 2009)(passed with 220 votes – Nov. 7, 2009)



Success!Success!

Both houses of Congress agreed that:Both houses of Congress agreed that: Our goal should be to get everyone Our goal should be to get everyone

covered.covered. A significant expansion of Medicaid is A significant expansion of Medicaid is

needed (15+ million more people in needed (15+ million more people in health insurance!).health insurance!).



Success!Success!

Both houses of Congress agreed that:Both houses of Congress agreed that: Insurance market reforms are Insurance market reforms are

needed:needed:– No exclusions for pre-existing conditionsNo exclusions for pre-existing conditions– Insurance can’t be cancelled just because you Insurance can’t be cancelled just because you

get an expensive illnessget an expensive illness



Success!Success!

Both houses of Congress agreed that:Both houses of Congress agreed that: Insurance market reforms are Insurance market reforms are

needed:needed:– Insurers must spend a set % of premiums on Insurers must spend a set % of premiums on

health care, not paperwork & perkshealth care, not paperwork & perks– Young adults may remain on parents health Young adults may remain on parents health

care through their mid-20scare through their mid-20s



Success!Success!

Both houses of Congress agreed that:Both houses of Congress agreed that: Seniors must be protected from the Seniors must be protected from the

doughnut hole in Rx drug coveragedoughnut hole in Rx drug coverage The # of community health centers The # of community health centers

will be increased to better serve will be increased to better serve under-served populations.under-served populations.



The two bills The two bills shouldshould have gone to a have gone to a

Conference Committee Conference Committee of Senate &of Senate &

House leadership to produce aHouse leadership to produce a

reconciled bill reconciled bill that would have to bethat would have to be

passed in both chambers ofpassed in both chambers of

Congress in exactly the same form.Congress in exactly the same form.

So... Where are we?So... Where are we?


A A “pseudo” conference “pseudo” conference process was process was underway when supporters of health underway when supporters of health care reform lost their filibuster proof care reform lost their filibuster proof majority in the Senate.majority in the Senate.

The process continues The process continues in an effort to in an effort to resolve differences in both content resolve differences in both content AND political strategy.AND political strategy.



THE RESULT? THE RESULT? BOTHBOTH houses now houses now

lack the votes to pass the Senate bill.lack the votes to pass the Senate bill.

The House The House is not likely to pass theis not likely to pass the

Senate bill as is.Senate bill as is. The Senate The Senate won’t pass anything won’t pass anything

that comes out of the conference.that comes out of the conference.



The suggestions we are hearing:The suggestions we are hearing:

Unlikely:Unlikely: Start overStart over Scale backScale back

(From a justice perspective, we know (From a justice perspective, we know what these options mean – people out!)what these options mean – people out!)

Options ahead?Options ahead?



More likely #1:More likely #1:

Split the bills into at least two bills, oneSplit the bills into at least two bills, one

with the provisions that have broadwith the provisions that have broad

agreement (such as insurance reforms,agreement (such as insurance reforms,

anti-trust laws, etc.)anti-trust laws, etc.)




More likely #2:More likely #2:

House passes the Senate bill alongHouse passes the Senate bill along

with a budget reconciliation bill thatwith a budget reconciliation bill that

““amends” some of the financial issuesamends” some of the financial issues

in the Senate bill.in the Senate bill.



Stumbling blocks:Stumbling blocks: The only “fixes” permitted in The only “fixes” permitted in budget budget

reconciliationreconciliation are those that relate are those that relate to the federal budget, taxation, etc.to the federal budget, taxation, etc.

The Senate parliamentarian makes The Senate parliamentarian makes the decision about what qualifies.the decision about what qualifies.



More stumbling blocks:More stumbling blocks: Federal funding for abortionFederal funding for abortion Whether there will be a national Whether there will be a national

exchange (House) or 50 state exchange (House) or 50 state exchanges (Senate).exchanges (Senate).

The public optionThe public option Reconciliation option expiresReconciliation option expires



Once an Once an identicalidentical bill is passed in both bill is passed in both

Houses of Congress, the bill goes toHouses of Congress, the bill goes to

the President for his signature….the President for his signature….

HEALTH CARE REFORM IS PASSED!HEALTH CARE REFORM IS PASSED!

The legislative processThe legislative process


The issues & our faith valuesThe issues & our faith values

““Moral Vision in theMoral Vision in the

Health Care Reform Bills”Health Care Reform Bills”

The task of the faith community is to consider how The task of the faith community is to consider how the legislation does/does not move us toward the legislation does/does not move us toward

our “Faith-Inspired Vision of Health Care”our “Faith-Inspired Vision of Health Care”

Such an analysis is available atSuch an analysis is available at



The issues & our faith valuesThe issues & our faith values

Where is the focus for people of faith?Where is the focus for people of faith? Affordability for low-middle income Affordability for low-middle income

individuals and familiesindividuals and families Immigrant inclusionImmigrant inclusion Public option (or comparable Public option (or comparable

alternative)alternative) Insurance industry accountabilityInsurance industry accountability


Actions around our faith valuesActions around our faith values

What to do… what to do…What to do… what to do…

Continue outreach to Congress… Continue outreach to Congress… calls, letters, vigils, prayers, etc.calls, letters, vigils, prayers, etc.

Be a part of the “truth squad”Be a part of the “truth squad” Commit to staying engaged for the Commit to staying engaged for the

extended short-term & the long termextended short-term & the long term



Immediate:Immediate:• Sign upSign up for “Interfaith Virtual Vigil of for “Interfaith Virtual Vigil of

Prayer, Hope, and Action”Prayer, Hope, and Action”

• SignSign “A Call to Political Courage, “A Call to Political Courage, Vision, Leadership, and Faith”Vision, Leadership, and Faith”

Both available atBoth available at




Long-term:Long-term: ParticipateParticipate in education, dialogue, & in education, dialogue, &

advocacy around implementation, advocacy around implementation, improvements, & state-based improvements, & state-based reformsreforms

HelpHelp resist repeal and other resist repeal and other opposition effortsopposition efforts

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ResourcesResources

Vision and Voice: Faithful Citizens and Health Care4 session interfaith dialogue and education seriesFree downloads, including a video of faith leaders speakinghttp://www.visionandvoice.org

The Thoughtful ChristianEcumenical health care adult study resourcesSmall fee for downloadshttp://www.TheThoughtfulChristian.com

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Faithful Reform in Health CareFaithful Reform in Health Carehttp://www.faithfulreform.orghttp://www.faithfulreform.org

216-685-0796216-685-0796

2800 Euclid Avenue #5202800 Euclid Avenue #520Cleveland, OH 44115Cleveland, OH 44115

Rev. Linda Hanna WallingRev. Linda Hanna WallingEXECUTIVE DIRECTOREXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Health Care Reform 2010: Seeking a moral vision Faithful Reform in Health Care February 2010 ...

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