The United Methodist General Board of Church and Society is asking UMC Nebraskans to reach out to their fellow United Methodist Ben Nelson, the U.S. Senator holding up health care reform. Here's what the church agency has to say:
The need to reform our health-care system has struck extremely close to home. My nephew, who is my godson, was seriously injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver. His recovery has accumulated $97,000 in medical bills, plus he faces extensive dental reconstruction and a long rehabilitation. Because he turned 25 this year, his parents’ insurance dropped coverage on him, and he doesn’t qualify for Medicaid because he had a job in college that didn’t provide insurance. My sister has convinced her insurance company to add him to the family policy for $1,000 more per month.Let's hope the Spirit moves the Senate to pass a meaningful reform bill - soon!
This is a disturbing situation adversely affecting my godson and his family. The U.S. health-care system is broken. It needs to be repaired. Your U.S. senator, Ben Nelson, is the last holdout blocking an important step forward in the reform.
It is important that Sen. Nelson set aside his personal agenda and think about the common good. According to a recent report, if this bill fails to pass, nearly 40,000 Nebraskans will join the ranks of those without health-care coverage. Please call the senator’s office today and urge him to support health-care reform that will address such abuses: Use this toll-free number, 1-888-797-8717, and ask for Sen. Ben Nelson's office.
The report I cited also looks at key features of the Senate Health Care proposal and what it would mean for Nebraska. Click on At a Crossroads: Is Health Coverage Ahead for America? to read it.
The report emphasizes the critical importance of passing health care for all Americans. It stresses that failure to pass health-care reform does not maintain the status quo for any American who has health insurance, despite what some may claim.
The Senate is still negotiating, but here are key protections in the bill:
* No denial of coverage for pre-existing conditions.
* Prohibits lifetime or unreasonable limits/caps on coverage for people with life-threatening illnesses that require expensive long-term treatment.
* Prohibits exorbitant deductibles.
* Creates premium assistance for people with incomes up to 400% of poverty level.
* if you lose your job, it provides temporary health-care coverage while you look for another job.
* Young adults in college or in jobs without health insurance can remain on their parents’ coverage until age 26.
* Closes the “doughnut hole” in Medicare prescription drug coverage (Medicare Part D) by providing affordable drugs at a reduced rate.
Many other positive provisions worthy of our support are in the legislation.
I’m proud to be a clergy member of a denomination that declares “health care is a basic human right” and a “responsibility of government to provide its citizens.” (United Methodist Social Principle ¶162V).
Frankly, I believe Jesus set the bar high in reaching out to the disenfranchised among us. I disagree that some ought to be able to have better health care than others — and so does The United Methodist Church!
The Senate bill is significant because it contains far more protections for people and covers far more people who currently do not have insurance.
Please take action now, call Sen. Nelson at his Washington, D.C., office and/or fax him a letter TODAY. We spoke with his staff yesterday. They said the phones are very busy. Please be patient, but be persistent in trying to reach him. Use this toll-free number: 1-888-797-8717; ask for Sen. Ben Nelson's office and ask to speak to the helath-care policy person. Yours in Christ,
Rev. Cynthia Abrams
Director of Alcohol, Other Addictions and Health Care Program
