Statement on the Obama Health-Care Plan

August 14, 2009

This could be a pivotal month for the progress of health-care reform in our nation—an important time for LCMS members to be informed and to demonstrate responsible citizenship.

Congress is in recess now, leaving the health-care reform issue on the table until lawmakers return to the capital next month.  As evidenced by record attendance at recent public forums, this subject is stirring much debate.  With the American public split over the issue, and in view of the demonstrated anxiety toward President Obama's ideas, we can expect to see escalated advertising campaigns and other efforts from all sides aimed at winning our confidence and support.  Legislators will return to Washington next month prepared to take up the issue again, if not actually to vote, armed with the sentiments of their constituents—the American people.

As LCMS members and citizens of this land, we have an obligation, and a privilege, to be attuned to the debate and the process.  We also are called to pray for our elected leaders and for all those in authority.

Many contend that the nation's health-care system needs improving, and that our leaders should be giving it immediate attention.  The question comes down to what degree and to what extent changes are needed.  Can our current system be adjusted to provide for those with inadequate care, or must the whole system be massively overhauled?

The process is complicated and still evolving.  There is much we don't know.  Legislation is still being drafted, refined, and negotiated in multiple committees (just yesterday, Aug. 13, key senators moved to exclude the so-called end-of-life provision from the Senate version of the bill).  We don't even fully know how some of the proposals would affect us personally.  There are likely to be many changes before a final bill reaches a vote.

And there are so many questions still unanswered.  Should there be a government-sponsored plan?  Should current government programs be expanded?  Should everybody be required to have health insurance, even younger adults who don't want it (and don't want to pay the premiums)?  Should the government regulate private insurance?  How will we pay for everything?   In the end, will the Obama plan be more about health-care reform or health-insurance reform?

What we do know is that regardless of the outcome of this current debate, God's Word will continue to guide us as we offer Christian care and compassion to our neighbors in time of need.  Our “health-care” plan is exemplified in the parable of the Good Samaritan, who, “as he journeyed, came to where [the beaten man] was, and when he saw him, he had compassion.  He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine.  Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him” (Luke 10:33-34).

Compassionate care and prayer will remain foundational in our life as the church as we respond to the health care and spiritual needs of those around us.  Long before health insurance and government-related health-care programs began, the Christian Church understood her responsibility to care for one another.  “Is anyone among you sick?  Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord” (James 5:14).  We care for others out of our love for Christ and for His people. “I was sick and you visited me” (Matt. 25:36).

God's Word will lead us also in some of the crucial issues in the current health-care debate.

One of those issues is abortion.

The LCMS supports the protection and nurture of human life from conception through death.  We would not endorse any component of a plan that includes funding for abortion.  Currently, federal money cannot fund abortions (Hyde Amendment, 1976), and there appears to be nothing in the health-care reform plan at this time that would change that.  However, some versions do propose a sliding scale of health-care premiums based on income, with government money making up for the lower premiums of poorer people.  As pro-life advocates, we would want to prohibit any government money from being used, even indirectly, for insurance that covers abortion.

We have been called to be disciples of Christ and witnesses for Christ.  Searching for an effective means of ministering to the sick and vulnerable is one way to respond to that calling.  May the Lord grant us, our leaders, and our nation wisdom in this process.

Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick, President
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod