Matthew 10:7-9
“As you go, preach this message: ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”
In seeking to respond to God’s call to all creation for healing and wholeness, Christians understand that the abundant life God desires for all humanity includes physical and emotional well being. We take seriously the call to promote wellness, and to advocate for healing and wholeness for all people. It also means ensuring adequate and fair access to health care for all people, according to their needs rather than their wealth or position in society.
As Jesus took mercy on those who sought both physical and emotional healing, so we should be good neighbors to those who struggle with both mental and physical illness, ensuring their care and valuing their lives. Care for the lives and health of our neighbors, is an extension and expression of God’s love for us and of Jesus Christ’s healing ministry.
We have consistently been a Christian voice in the Health Care conversations in Salem this year. The bills we select to support are bills that lead to a more equitable health care system that does not neglect the vulnerable. We believe that health -and access to it- is imperative, and is a building block for strong families and communities. When 60% of all bankruptcies are directly related to medical debt, and many divorces are related to financial strife, it tells us that health equity is an important issue that Christians cannot ignore.