I am going to step into a political discussion here, which I almost never do publicly. I will explain why below, but in case you do not wish to read further, may I say up front that I am appealing to my readers to make a phone call to their congressional leaders to ask them to vote no or at least halt a vote on the Graham/Cassidy health care bill. Find your individual congress person or senator’s phone numbers here.
Before I invite heated discussion, which I do not want, may I say that health care is a complicated issue. I do not deny that, nor do I wish to “get political” on this blog. But I believe God cares for the poor and needy and when Jesus walked the earth, health mattered so much to Him that He healed those who asked it of Him – and even some who didn’t. From what I understand of Scripture, I believe God cares about our needs. I also believe He wants us to care for each other. For the poor, the widow, the orphan, the alien. And if God cares, then as a Christian, I care.
But back to this bill. I am not suggesting that I have the answers to our nation’s health-care dilemma. But I do not believe that either political party has given the subject a fair and honest look, nor have they really worked together to consider what is best for the people. It frustrates me that these things are political at all. They should not ever be something one party uses against another. Not when we are talking about oppressing the people who need us the most. That is not why our government was created in the first place, and I wish those crafting such legislation would stop and take time to really make the best policy they can make, rather than rush things through because of the amount of votes they will need or the money they will get if they do thus and such at a certain time in a certain way.
Unfortunately, that is not what I see happening.
If you’ve read this far, let me explain why I’m speaking up on this bill. You see, for people I love, it’s personal. You could probably say I’ve got a little self interest in this because well, a lot of people I love have pre-existing conditions. So do I. If it becomes even remotely possible – and I’ve seen it in the past – to become uninsurable – then we start risking the lives of a lot of people. Do we really want to go back to that?
We also risk a lot when we don’t set clear guidelines. IF the states each had separate policies and control of these block grants, then what? Maybe we can give the states control with some things, but I’m not sure I want my healthcare to be different when I visit my kids out west than it is when I’m home in Michigan. I see chaos in such a future.
And then there is Medicaid. I know. Some would say negative things about the program, and healthcare in the hands of the VA has not served our veterans well. So I get it. I see the argument for and against expanding Medicaid because it’s like giving free healthcare. And how is that fair to people who have to pay?
Again, I go back to what Jesus said about caring for the poor. And yes, here is also again where it gets personal for me. You see, someone I love went through a tough time in their life and without Medicaid, would not have lived. Literally.
So when you show me a bill – and I’ve read a lot about this one – that is going to cut this program down – all I can think of is – what would have happened without that aid?
So yeah, I guess you could say I’m a little put off by the provisions in this bill. And I applaud those senators who “cannot in good conscience” vote for it. Please, don’t make this a political issue. Do we really want our health to be volleyed between political parties for votes when they don’t seem to care what they are drafting?
Like I said, I’m not trying to suggest that I have the solution. I just know that neither do they. Not yet. Not until they sit down and take the time to work together and do a better job than any party has done to date. This isn’t it.
To be really clear on this – I’m not a fan of Obamacare either. I think it’s broken and needs some major fixing. But please, let’s actually FIX the problems rather than just create a whole list of new ones.
And don’t rush it through just so you can rack up brownie points or political votes. Actually CARE about people in need. Like my family and your family and the family down the street who is barely getting by and the orphan and the widow and the people Jesus told us to care for.
We really don’t get to ignore caring for the needs of others. Christians don’t get wiggle room on this. And maybe I’m stepping on toes here by making this plea, but I only do so because I want to see our country actually care and not just say they do.
Talk is so cheap. Talk means so little. Greed is rampant. And no, I don’t think the government has the answers. Only God can fix our muddled messes.
But we are citizens of this land and as such, if we don’t speak up when we can or should, then who will? I know there are a LOT of issues I could talk about and stand up for “at such a time as this” and if God leads me to do so, I will. But I also won’t turn this blog into a political forum, just so my readers understand. I’m appealing to believers to pray and vote their conscience on every issue that faces this land. Above all, we must show the world what Jesus meant by love.
In doing so, sometimes, we are going to find ourselves facing the decision of whether to speak up to issues that affect the people Jesus died to save. The people He told us to care for and love. And sometimes that means digging in and helping in a physical way. Sometimes it means giving aid financially. And sometimes it means speaking for those who have no voice.
I guess this one qualifies for that. It’s complicated. It touches everyone. And we need to do our best to make it right.
#grahamcassidy #healthcare #careforthoseinneed #lovetheleastofthese
