United Methodists join in 'Cover the Uninsured Week'
United Methodists join in 'Cover the Uninsured Week'
April 15, 2004
By United Methodist News Service
To draw attention to the nearly 44 million Americans who lack health insurance, United Methodists and members of other religious groups will join with more than 800 national and local organizations in marking "Cover the Uninsured Week."
Some 1,000 events are planned in communities across the United States during the May 10-16 observation. Former Presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter are honorary co-chairmen of the nonpartisan effort.
United Methodist Bishop Melvin Talbert is a member of the National Interfaith Advisory Board for "Cover the Uninsured Week." The Rev. Eileen Lindner, an executive with the National Council of Churches, is the board's chairwoman. The United Methodist Council of Bishops is one of the national religious supporters.
Talbert told United Methodist News Service that last year's "Cover the Uninsured Week," the first of its kind, made people more aware of the issue - and especially of the fact that 80 percent of the uninsured work at full-time jobs. "People are now much more sensitive to what's going on," he noted.
When the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation decided to fund the program again for 2004, Talbert said he was happy to continue on the advisory board "because I think it is a very significant issue that we need to come to grips with in our society." He also believes the problem of the uninsured is a "clear example" of why a national health plan is needed.
In "A Call to Care for People Without Health Insurance," members of the interfaith advisory board noted their "long tradition of caring for people who suffer in mind, body and spirit."
That commitment includes seeking compassionate public health care policies. "Because all of our faith traditions, despite encompassing a wide spectrum of beliefs, hold central a conviction that life is a gift from God to be cherished and that God's people are called to care for one another, provide healing and prevent suffering with compassion and a commitment to justice, today we proclaim the call to care for our nation's nearly 44 million uninsured people," the board stated.
Suggestions for answering the call include reflecting on texts and teachings of faith to gain an understanding of the needs of the uninsured; learning more about the plight of the uninsured and potential solutions through study, discussion and participation in the week's events; reaching out to help people without health coverage and focusing attention on the issue to promote dialogue among all Americans.
Study guides, action kits with prayers, bulletin inserts and activity suggestions, and other resources have been prepared for congregations. Information about resources and events is available at http://covertheuninsuredweek.org online.
News media can contact Linda Bloom at (646) 369-3759 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
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