Health Reform Update - January 2010
The debate continues and our voices are more important than ever. We've compiled an extensive review of where health reform is at, possible courses of action and much more information to help you in your advocacy.

Faithfully Facing Dying
A Lenten Study Guide on critical issues and decisions for the members of the United Church of Christ related to the range of choices which surround dying and death.

Wellness and Prevention in Health Care Reform
Americans rate prevention as the top priority in health reform. Chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, consume more than 75% of the $2.2 trillion spent on U. S. health care each year. Learn more and see research on UCC member and the impact of diabetes in their lives.

"I suffer no illusions that this will be an easy process. It will be hard. But I also know that nearly a century after Teddy Roosevelt first called for reform, the cost of our health care has weighed down our economy and the conscience of our nation long enough. So let there be no doubt: health care reform cannot wait, it must not wait, and it will not wait another year."  -President Barack Obama, Feb. 24, 2009

UCC GENERAL SYNOD PASSES RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE REFORM AS IN H. R. 676!

On June 26, 2009, the Twenty-Seventh UCC General Synod passed a resolution calling for advocacy in support for Health Care For All, as in H. R. 676. 

H. R. 676 (Improved and Expanded Medicare for All) is a bill introduced by Congressman John Conyers of Michigan to create a single-payer, publicly financed, privately delivered universal health care system.  Its goal is to cover all Americans without charging co-pays or deductibles and guarantees access to the highest quality and most affordable healthcare services regardless of employment, ability to pay or pre-existing health conditions.

While the United Church of Christ is now on record as in support of this plan, and while we believe that H. R. 676 is the plan that best embrace the moral and justice imperatives to transform our broken health care system, we recognize that lawmakers are considering other plans for implementation.  Therefore, the United Church of Christ will affirm its support for the inclusion of a robust public health option that includes the following principles: 1) Universal – it covers all persons; 2) Is affordable for all; 3) provides comprehensive benefits; 4) offers a choice of physicians and other health providers; 5) eliminates racial, ethnic and all other disparities for health care; and 6) waives pre-existing health conditions and does not further impose financial barriers to health care.

The United Church of Christ goes on record now in advocating for and supporting legislation to be passed by the fall of 2009 by the 111th Congress and its signing by the President of the United States which meets the above principles.

The President and Congress need to hear from you today!  The House bill is expected to be completed by the end of July and the Senate will follow.  Please call your lawmaker today and express the urgency that we need a strong public health option that includes the principles listed above.  Call Toll Free TODAY!  1-888-797-8717.