98. Health Care in Rural Areas, A Study

WHEREAS, our biblical heritage speaks of healing as one part of proclaiming the gospel; and

WHEREAS, historically, Methodism has acted out of this heritage by placing healing and health care as part of its ministries; and

WHEREAS, John Wesley was particularly concerned with the physical well-being of the poor; and

WHEREAS, the early Methodist movement also took on the task of founding schools, clinics, hospitals, and homes for both children and the elderly; and

WHEREAS, health care has become a source of major concern for the United States as we approach the end of the century; and

WHEREAS, the debate over managed care, the relationship of one's spiritual life to healing, cost of insurance and medicines, and the closing of rural hospitals are only a few of the issues that are being discussed in the secular community; and

WHEREAS, these concerns are especially acute in rural or town-and-country areas in our nation; and

WHEREAS, national statistics show that among the nonelderly, there is a significantly higher percentage of individuals who are uninsured or underinsured; and

WHEREAS, The United Methodist Church must not allow its voice to become silent, especially in regards to health care and the rural church; and

WHEREAS, as United Methodists, we share the concern that all people have access to good health care as a part of the gospel's mandate to do "to the least of these"; and

WHEREAS, it is time for the denomination as a whole to join the debate on health care and especially to seek ways to help the rural church become a place of healing,

Therefore, be it resolved, that the 2000 General Conference requests the Health and Welfare Unit of the General Board of Global Ministries in cooperation with other appropriate groups such as Town and Country Ministries to study issues and concerns relating to health care and the rural church.

Be it further resolved, that this study shall lift up programs that are already in existence which may serve as role models for town and country appointments, encourage churches to see health as a mission to the community, publicize existing programs to annual conferences, and investigate ways the rural church may have a more active voice in advocating rural health policy; and

Be it further resolved, that in particular, the study should look at holistic health ministry and the parish nurse program and their viability for rural communities.

ADOPTED 2000

See Social Principles, ¶ 162T.

Copyright © 2000 The United Methodist Publishing House. Used by permission.
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