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Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Public Witness Director put out a statement applauding the Supreme Court decision on Obamacare, hoping the nation can now focus on poverty and inequality. The Office of Public Witness advocates for policies of compassion, peace and justice.
After the 6-3 vote to uphold the Affordable Care Act, Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, Director of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Public Witness expressed praise for the decision of the court:
“The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Public Witness has advocated for affordable healthcare for all citizens of the United States for more than sixty years. We are grateful that the Supreme Court upheld the legitimacy of state exchanges, which provide greater access to enrollment in states that are not participating in the federal effort to insure people. It is our hope that this decision will end the long and arduous debate over the Affordable Healthcare Act, and that our nation will now focus on other important issues related to poverty and inequality.”
It’s important to note that while today is a political victory for many, President Obama said that this is about the people. This is about helping one another. That is what this law has always been about.
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Ultimately, affordable health care is a moral victory.
The Office of Public Witness of the Presbyterian Church has advocated for health care for all for sixty years because this is what compassion looks like.
People who fight for policies that help people in responsible ways and reduce conflict and poverty are walking the talk, even if they are not followers of any specific faith. Morally, Obamacare was the right thing to do. It also addressed an enormous drain on the deficit, so it did this in a responsible way.
Republicans like to mock this policy sensibility of liberals and Democrats, the take care of your neighbor attitude. But there is nothing to be ashamed of when you are trying to make the country a better place by reducing poverty and pain.
It’s time to turn this around and ask why not. So long as it’s done responsibly, why can’t our country do more to address inequality and poverty? Why can’t we take better care of our babies and children? Why can’t we take care of the vulnerable and those who have served this country? Why do we choose instead to subsidize oil companies?
Let the policy win of Obamacare open our minds to the possibilities of what kind of country we want this to be.
Image: NESRI
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