New Hampshire News
| Religious leaders to Gregg: Don't block health care debate |
| Posted by Jaime Contois (jcontois) on Jan 15 2010 at 9:00 PM |
A group of clergy, representing a variety of churches and a variety of religions, composed a joint letter on health care. It reads, in part:
"We affirm our moral obligation to provide for the basic needs of all people, including food, clothing, shelter, legal protection and medical care. We affirm the equal, just and impartial treatment of all people. We have heard from the employed and unemployed alike who are burdened by the present failing state of health care in our nation. As religious leaders, we recognize that we are all morally bound to work for equal access to health care."
The letter is directed at their Republican U.S. senator, Judd Gregg, who voted Saturday to block a health care reform bill from coming to the floor for debate. The vote failed. Their Democratic senator, Jeanne Shaheen, voted with the 60-vote majority to move the health care bill forward.
"We encourage our elected leaders to discuss and vote on this important case openly and without obstruction. Therefore, we respectfully express our deep concern about your vote to prevent open discussion on healthcare reform in the United States Senate, on Saturday, November 21st," the clergy said to Gregg.
"We ask you to give us your assurance that you will not participate further in any filibuster or vote-blocking strategy concerning healthcare reform. We ask that you allow open debate and a vote on healthcare reform in the United States Senate."
The pastors and rabbis are often on the front line of the health care system, giving spiritual care to supplement a doctor or hospital's care.
The letter was signed by the following 30 religious leaders from 17 communities: