The bill is being attacked for targeting the poor.
Several religious organizations have sent public letters and letters to Congress arguing against the new health care bill, whose vote was just delayed in the Senate today.
Religious Groups Call Out Health Care Bill[/tweetthis]
A coalition of 14 Jewish organizations led by the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism sent letters to all 100 members of the U.S. Senate urging them vote no on the law. Additionally, Bishop Frank Dewane, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Domestic Justice and Humane Development Committee, released a public statement criticizing the bill.
Both criticisms have stated that the bill, which would leave 22 million people uninsured, violates the tenets of aiding the poor and the vulnerable. The Jewish letter made their point clear: “States will face impossible choices prioritizing among people with disabilities, low-income Americans, and children and will have no option but to slash services that are essential for the daily lives of millions.”
Religious leaders express concern that creating millions of uninsured Americans will also overburden religious organizations that provide medical treatment. “Prayer, pastoral care, and loving friends can’t replace medical care,” said Rev. Carol McVetty, interim executive minister of the American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago.
While some religious groups in the past have agreed on overturning the Affordable Care Act, religious groups have been relatively quiet over the health care bill that was revealed after tinkering by Senate Republicans recently.