Just checked out the www.1010challenge.org
Everyone has a health care story. This is the first one I read.
As a United Methodist Minister and Health care worker I affirm the church’s position and pledge my support on this issue. As a small membership pastor I do not have health insurance because the congregation I serve cannot afford the rates of the church sponsored plan. Since my health care job is on a “as needed” basis (prn) I do not qualify for health insurance. – Allen Noah Converse, TX
I do not know Allen Noah. But I believe he should have health care. I do not know a lot of people, but I believe we should all have health care.
I have a place in my heart for people who care for other people – pastors, parents, caregivers, teachers, and doctors. I believe they especially need care. Just because someone does not have a traditional job that offers health care, that person should not be penalized or denied.
Is a small-town pastor less important than a big-time CEO? I don’t think so. As a follower of Jesus, I want to love, care for the least, the lost, the lonely. I want the above-mentioned pastor to have health care. I want the parent who opted out of the workforce to care for her infant to have health care.
I believe a country pastor or a stay-at-home parent is as valuable to our nation – even more so – than a corporate mogul who carries health insurance for his or her family.
I know several parents at my girls’ NYC public school, who have health care for their children, but not for themselves. They cannot afford it. They are parents who have jobs, but those jobs do not offer health care. And even if they did not have jobs, they should still have health care. I worry about them, I worry what would happen if they required major medical care.
God know, my family has needed major medical coverage over the last several years. My 12-year old has had three heart procedures. My husband had radiation for cancer and care for his Parkinson’s Disease. I have absolutely no doubt these procedures, treatments and doctors’ visits would have bankrupted us, had we no health insurance. Surely, we would be a million dollars in debt.
As we in the United States debate how to provide universal health care, I suggest we remember parents and pastors. Let’s not forget people who care for other people. Their work is priceless and too many of them are not insured.
100 Days of Poems and Pics 
I agree wholeheartedly with you about the healthcare issue. NO one should be denied care.
I seldom listen or watch politicians when they take up television time to promote themselves – and particiularly Mr. Obama, but I did listen and watch last night. His plan seems …. good. Of course it will take FOUR YEARS to get there.
Either he took better acting lessons or something, but I feel like he meant what he said. but 4 years is a long time. do you think it will REALLY happen.
I am one of the lucky ones and have health care. I am a diabetic and take between $100 and 150 worth of medicine each month. There are months, even as a working person, I decide which drugs to take. Between co-pays, meds, it’s alot. I just wonder what someone would do without a job or without insurance.
Well, I’m praying for the new healthcare plan. I pray it ACTUALLY develops into something we can rely on.
Lynn, thanks for commenting. I’m new to the blogging world, so it feels really good to have you read, think about and comment on this essay.
I do think the public health care plan will work. The point is to do something. Doing nothing is just more of the same – which is not working.
And just as we have public school and private school; public post office and Federal Express; there should be public health and private health.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Like you, I pray it develops into something of substance.
I’m only a country doctor, but I hope will read my post on this subject today and leave a comment.
drtombibey.wordpress.com
MB:
Well said! Health care for all is an idea long overdue in America. The rest of the developed world has it, more or less. And the underdeveloped world would like it. It ranks as a universal human right.
Great blogg I enjoyed reading