Uninsured Americans
- Dec 1, 2006 - 10
“The Bible tells us to do unto others as we would have others do unto us. If I were uninsured, I would want others to come to my aid and demand solutions. I believe access to a basic standard of health care is a human right that is essential to the pursuit of happiness. People need to talk to their neighbors, church members, friends, family, business leaders, and government leaders and say that it is important that all Americans have this basic right. With this country’s economic prosperity, we can and should find ways to provide health care for everyone.” (Dr. Richard Land)
Faith Leaders Join Largest National Campaign to Cover Uninsured, (Christian Post), April 29, 2006
A new study analyzing data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that a significant number of working Americans in every state do not have health care coverage, with more than 20 million working adults not having coverage. In eight states, at least one in five working adults is uninsured. In 39 other states, at least one working adult in every 10 does not have health care coverage. The report further reveals that in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, between one-fourth and one-half of all uninsured adults were unable to see a doctor when needed in the past year because of cost . . . The report released today was prepared for RWJF (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation) by researchers at the State Health Access Data Assistance Center, located at the University of Minnesota. Additional findings, of surveyed adults ages 18-64, include:
- The problem is pervasive among workers in every state. States with the highest rates of uninsured residents among employed adults include Texas (27 percent), New Mexico (23 percent), Louisiana (23 percent), Florida (22 percent), Montana (21 percent), Oklahoma (21 percent), Nevada (20 percent), and Arkansas (20 percent). States with the lowest uninsured rates among employed adults include Minnesota (7 percent), Hawaii (9 percent), Delaware (9 percent), and the District of Columbia (9 percent).
- Uninsured adults are unable to see a doctor when needed. Nationally, 41 percent of uninsured adults report being unable to see a doctor when needed in the past 12 months, due to cost, compared to just nine percent of adults who have health care coverage.
- Uninsured adults are less likely to have a personal doctor or health care provider. Nationally, 56 percent of adults without health care coverage say they do not have a personal doctor or health care provider, compared with just 16 percent of people with health care coverage.
- Adults who are uninsured are much more likely to report being in poor or fair health than are adults who are insured. Nationally, one in five uninsured adults (20 percent) say their health is fair or poor, compared with nearly one in nine adults with health coverage (12 percent).
Working but Uninsured: Millions of Employed Americans Uninsured and Unable to Get Medical Care, (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation) [Accessed May 19, 2006]
“The percentage of working-age Americans with moderate to middle incomes who lacked health insurance for at least part of the year rose to 41 percent in 2005, a dramatic increase from the 28 percent in 2001 without coverage, a study released on Wednesday found.
“Moreover, more than half of the uninsured adults said they were having problems paying their medical bills or had incurred debt to cover their expenses, according to a report by the Commonwealth Fund, a New York-based private, health care policy foundation.
“The study of 4,350 adults also found that people without insurance were more likely to forgo recommended health screenings such as mammograms than those with coverage and were less likely to have a regular doctor than their insured counterparts.
“The report paints a bleak health care picture for the uninsured … About 45.8 million Americans did not have health insurance in 2004, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
“The percentage of individuals earning less than $20,000 a year without insurance rose to 53 percent, up from 49 percent in 2001. Overall, the percentage of people without insurance rose to 28 percent in 2005 from 24 percent in 2001.
“The study also found that 59 percent of uninsured with chronic conditions such as asthma or diabetes either skipped a dose of their medicine or went without it because it was too expensive.
“One-third of those in that group visited an emergency room or stayed in a hospital overnight or did both, compared to 15 percent of their insured counterparts.
Study: Number of Uninsured Americans on Rise, (Fox News), April 26, 2006
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10 comments (post your own) feed
1 On Dec 21st, 2006, at 5:35am, Pastor Mark A. Mitchell wrote:
I am rather surprised that Dr. Land would apply this passage in this way. It is certainly poor Hermenutics to say that God would mandate a national health care system funded by the taxpayers. Socialist/Communist ideoloies such as these chip away at individual responsibility. In a capitalistic and free society like we have health care is available to everyone. We have some of the best doctors in the world. This Communist standard destroys the very systems it is intended to lift up. There are certainly many other ways to address those who cannot afford health care. But mandating that one individual works to earn the funds to pay for the health care of others is clearly a form of slavery and not in keeping with a free society.
2 On Dec 27th, 2006, at 8:10am, Al Edwards wrote:
I find it difficult to believe that, with the “think-tank” and all, The Southern Baptist Convention has not found a way to insure every SBC church-member, in good standing, for medical & dental. As a former Life Ins. & Securities Agent, I know that rates are determined by a number of factors, including the number of people being considered. How many SBC members are there? This “benefit” alone would draw a listening crowd to hear GOD’s WORD each week!!!!!!!!!
(Romans 10:13,14)
3 On Jan 3rd, 2007, at 4:26pm, Pastor Mark A. Mitchell wrote:
Joh 12:32
And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me
The draw to the church should be Christ and not insurance.
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
4 On Jan 5th, 2007, at 8:30am, Al Edwards wrote:
Re: Pastor Mitchell
Absolutely! Salvation through Jesus Christ must always be the principle focus. I don’t mean to advertise for free healthcare! i.e.: some family members attend church because their “other-half” wants to attend. They’ll hear God’s word - seeds will be planted. Many different means are used to “attract” people into those “pew” seats. Churches do have various ministries and meeting the needs of people (which could include insurance) is usually one of them. I just disagree with government-mandated provisions(forced through taxation), the socialist society. We should give with a grateful heart, and provide the help through our church.
5 On Feb 5th, 2007, at 3:12pm, Jan wrote:
In response to the posted comment made by Pastor Mark A. Mitchell in December, your opinion about being slaves to pay for others who have no insurance is not very christian in attitude. I am in total agreement with the comment made that we should have universal healthcare, and it IS A FACT that alot of people who committed suicide (which is what this site is about in the first place) did not seek the help they needed due to lack of money. There was an article just this morning in our local paper about a man who has attempted suicide in front of a mental health facility. Some speculate that the system was lax some how. In speaking of terms of Jesus or God, last I heard Jesus wanted us to give everything we can to others. Its the way the funds are spent, in waste, that make universal health care a costly idea. However, it seems to me that not having it has cost some their lives., Think about that when you take collection at church for YOUR wages.
6 On Feb 5th, 2007, at 4:25pm, Pastor Mark A. Mitchell wrote:
Pastors do not receive wages. However we are supported by the church to make our time available to do the ministry of the church. As a Pastor I do not collect anything. What is unchristian is the taking from one person at the point of a gun (the government)to give to another. Why use force? As Christians go this lacks faith and prayer.
7 On Feb 5th, 2007, at 5:07pm, Doug Yoder wrote:
concerning the health care issue: are you aware of the fact that our own Guidestone makes common practice of denying healthcare coverage to pastors and their families who are willing to pay the cost of coverage? It seems that those who are commissioned by the sbc to “serve those who serve the Lord” are doing so in a manner that would be unacceptable to most Southern Baptists.
8 On Feb 6th, 2007, at 11:31am, Jan wrote:
Pastor Mark A. Mitchell you wrote “Pastors do not receive wages. However we are supported by the church to make our time available to do the ministry of the church. “ don’t the words WE ARE SUPPORTED TO MAKE OUR TIME AVAILABLE” sound like wages with a different wording. I hope the one who rewrote the Old testament didn’t reword things in this manner...THAT IS A SCARY THOUGHT!
9 On Feb 6th, 2007, at 6:46pm, Pastor Mark A. Mitchell wrote:
Pastors do not receive wages. The difference is the Pastor is not an employee. He is called by God to that position. He is not an employee of the church. The tithe is given to support the ministry. No profits are being made. A serious problem with the church today is it has lost its distinction between the world and itself because the church has begun to handle itself just as the world does and makes very little distinction on its own.
10 On Feb 7th, 2007, at 1:58pm, jan wrote:
Ok, I will pass my obvious misconception of this topic to others that have the same view., Thank you.