Church supports health care reform

The faith community of First Presbyterian Church of Elgin, in seeking to live out God's call for compassion and justice in our world, respectfully asks our congressional representatives to vote for a health reform plan this year.

We are not advocating a particular health plan, but the moral position that our nation's health system must be fixed and cannot wait. We believe this new national medical plan must ensure access to equitable, affordable, high-quality health coverage for all people residing in the United States.

We believe that all people possess inherent worth as children of God, and that God's promise extends to all.

We believe the right to acquire adequate health care springs out of our worth as living human beings, rather than out of any particular merit or achievement belonging to some but not to others, and should be defined equally for all people.

We believe that health care is not just about dollars and cents, but is a moral issue of life and death. It is about whether we value the life of each person - poor, rich, or middle-class. It is our responsibility as a society to ensure that all people, regardless of their financial situation, have access to the care they need to live healthy, productive lives.

We believe that Jesus came that we may have life, and have it abundantly. The gift of life includes the promise of shalom - health and wholeness - for all God's children.

We believe that on a personal, national, and global level the physical well-being of all God's children is close to God's heart - and should be close to ours as well.

As a faith community, we advocate for the common good and for those who would not otherwise have a voice. Please help to make sure our nation has a new national medical plan by the end of this year!

The Session of First Presbyterian Church (USA)

Kurt A. Buckardt, Clerk

Elgin