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What if people in power could hear your voice?

 

The Real Faces of the Health Care Debate

Clergy and faith leaders gathered on Capitol Hill on Oct. 20 to pray and proclaim the moral case for improvements to health reform legislation that would make coverage affordable for lower-income families. The event was organized by the PICO National Network.The following story is from Rebecca.

My story does not pull at your heart strings like so many others who are unable to get insurance or are bankrupted by medical bills. There was a period of time when my husband was employed where family health insurance was not a benefit. The cost for family coverage was more than our housing cost, and the reality was that we could afford either housing or health insurance but not both. We had three school-aged children and we all went without any health care.

Since then we've had family health insurance as a benefit, but as employers have changed insurance companies in the effort to control premiums, we've had to keep changing doctors. My husband is currently working in a neighboring state and his employer-selected insurance includes very few of our local doctors in their network.

What a strange system we have that removes the consumer from decisions on what health insurance they will contribute to. Many people have to pay for some or all of their health care out of pocket, but cannot get quotes on costs, so they cannot do any comparisons. We need reform.

- Rebecca

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Share your voice to help those most in need. Urge your member of Congress for action in health care. Share your story with your Senators and Representative of why you believe health care reform is needed.

e-Advocacy alerts

(click here to view the complete listing of alerts)

(11.06.09) Thank the No's
(11.05.09) House Unveils Health Care Bill
(11.02.09) Middle East Network Action Alert
(10.30.09) Stand Up, Take Action Sets New World Record
(10.26.09) Living Earth October Reflection

Issue Areas

Faith leaders gathered on Capitol Hill on Oct. 20 as part of a larger day of action focusing on affordable coverage of health care. Health Care Reform
A revised health care bill has been unveiled and will be debated on the House floor. The Senate has yet to unveil its most recent bill. Contact Robert Francis, director for domestic policy at robert.francis@elca.org with your story about health insurance, medical treatment, prescription drugs, etc.
Jubilee USA Logo Change, Not Chains Campaign
Join Jubilee USA in their Change, Not Chains Campaign to urge the Obama administration to support expanded debt cancellation and tell Congress to pass the Jubilee Act for Responsible Lending & Expanded Debt Cancellation. [Sign the electronic postcard]
Countdown to Copenhagen logo Climate Witness Demonstration
U.S. faith leaders called for 11th hour rescue of Senate climate change bill on Nov. 5. Climate change legislation activists walked to the U.S. Senate building to present tens of thousands of Countdown to Copenhagen postcards. [Read more about ELCA environmental issues]
Passport Immigration
Bishops met in Washington to discuss issues surround immigration and refugee protection services. View photographs on Facebook.[read the ELCA news release]
Brett Rumbeck on staff with Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.) met with ELCJHL Bishop Dr. Munib Younan. Rep. Costa is on the Middle East and South Asia Subcommittee of Foreign Affairs Committee. Middle East Peace
  • Thank the Representatives  who voted NO on H. Res. 867.
  • Bishop Hanson signed a public letter in support of strong U.S. leadership in resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. [News Release] 
  • Churchwide assembly reaffirms Peace Not Walls strategy.

    • Lutheran Services in America News

    • Ask Your Senators to Include Long Term Services and Supports in Health Reform

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