The issue of health care is one of the hotest political issues of our time. This is perhaps because while many issues may not affect all of us, health care is something we all need and it is an issue that can have dangerous and even deadly consequences.
The Social Principles of the United Methodist Church declare that health care is “a basic human right,” and, “We believe it is a governmental responsibility to provide all citizens with health care.” (Discipline paragraph 162.III.V)
First, let me say that I believe that we in America enjoy a very high quality of health care as well as a very high quantity of health care. The very best level of care, provided by well qualified and caring professionals in extremely comfortable and well equipped facilities, is available to most Americans, including we who live in rural areas. In fact, I have begun to consider the possibility that it is precisely the high quality and quantity of health care we enjoy, and have come to expect and demand, that has caused the costs of health care to become so high.
Am I suggesting that we somehow lower the quality and quantity of our health care to reduce costs? That may be a good idea is some cases. For instance, we could stop running to the doctor for every ache and pain demanding the newest drug we have just seen advertised on television. Also, if a waiting room with a few less potted plants or without a fish tank means that I can save on my medical bills, I am all for that. However, we all know that it would not be a good idea to take this line of thinking too far, we would not be willing to give up our high quality and high quantity of health care. In fact, I think it is our fear of losing our high quality and high quantity health care that has made this such a heated debate.
The problem has become how do we pay for the ever increasing costs of our high quality and high quantity health care? Government programs like Medicare, Medicaid, Hawk-I, and others have helped many to afford health care. However, programs like these are always limited in what they provide and in the number of people who qualify, and there are always those who fall through the cracks. There are those who do not qualify for programs and still cannot afford health care and there are those for whom programs do not cover the health care they need.
For many years health care for most people has been paid for by health insurance provided by employers. However, this system is beginning to break down as costs continue to increase. Employers, especially small ones including churches, are finding it more difficult to provide health insurance. This has limited the number of persons employers can hire and has contributed to unemployment. Also, many people report being stuck in dead end jobs, afraid to change jobs or to start their own businesses, for fear of losing health benefits.
It is clear to me that the current system of health insurance through work is no longer sustainable. Almost everyone I talk to, on both sides of the political spectrum, agrees that the system must fundamentally change. The question is, “How?”
One answer I have heard is the elimination of the system of health insurance and a return to a consumer based direct payment model in which people pay for what they need and what they can afford and doctors and hospitals charge whatever the market will bear. However, common sense will tell us that this would result in a catastrophic reduction in the quality and quantity of health care that is available to people, particularly poor people and those of us who live in rural areas.
The other answer I have heard is the implementation of a government run health care or health insurance system of some kind based on the Canadian or European models. Valid concerns have been raised, given our government's tendency towards inefficiency, about the effect this will have on the quality and quantity of health care.
However, as a pastor, based on my interpretation, I have to say that this is the position put forward by General Conference in the Social Principles. Also, this is my personal position as well. This appears to me to be the only hope we have to continue to maintain our high quality and high quantity of health care long term and compete economically with the rest of the world.
