ADOPTED

No. 9915

(Sense‑of‑the‑Assembly)

ON HEALTH CARE IN THE UNITED STATES

ADOPTED by the General Assembly

WHEREAS, disparities in the receipt of health care services are steadily increasing between those who are financially able and those who have fewer financial means; and

WHEREAS, health care services are available to treat an ever increasing number of medical conditions for individuals from in utero to elderly; and

WHEREAS, the need for health care reform has not been met by the Congress of the United States; and

WHEREAS, hundreds of thousands of children have little to no access to needed health care services in a country where medical miracles are performed daily; and

WHEREAS, people die everyday because their health care needs are addressed only in the latter stages of illness rather than at preventive or early intervention stages; and

WHEREAS, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) believes that we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves; and

WHEREAS, we have a responsibility to advocate for justice for those who are in need;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) meeting in Cincinnati, Ohio, October 8‑12, 1999, issue a call to our members in the United States to:

1. Work for the establishment of health care for all, regardless of the

        &nbs p; ability to pay, supporting public policy advocacy through study and

education, and supporting preventive health care initiatives; and

2. Advocate for initiatives both public and private to provide health care

treatment for short and long term illness, and for treatment and care for

physical and mental disabilities.

3. Advocate for a balance between cost containment and equitable service provision.

Light of the World Christian Church, Indianapolis, Indiana