By Sabrina Miller
(Editor's Note: This is Part 3 of a series. Click to read Part 1 and Part 2)

The most pressing concern that almost every person brought up during my time in local churches, whether a health care professional or lay person, whether insured or uninsured, in favor of reform or against it, was fear of government intervention. Many people are often hesitant or out-right against bringing “political” issues into the church, but when the issue is that 45,000 people die every year  because they’re not receiving care, I think God may be weeping.

When we have the ability to provide and promote health to all our citizens and we don’t, our morality has been compromised.

Issue 3: The government shouldn’t be involved in providing health care, or does not have the appropriate solutions for reform. The government is already heavily involved in providing health care to rural communities, through Medicaid and Medicare. They also currently provide health care to government employees and veterans. An extended public option would provide competition between private companies and insurance for those currently without it, without dissolving private insurance. This is not the same as government controlled health care, but an extension of an existing system.

Many are skeptical of this project, and I encourage everyone to have input before the decisions are made! Reform will be necessary in many facets of health care in order to bring down costs and cover everyone. In a democracy, the government is the people, and it is our responsibility to be educated and keep our leaders accountable.

Local churches and individuals can do a lot to make a difference. First, learn about some of the options being discussed by Congress, then to contact your representatives with an educated opinion and a personal story that drives the message home. Look up contact information for your Congresspeople at congress.org or call the Capitol switchboard at (202)224-3121. There are currently many faith-based movements to move God’s people to action. The United Methodist Church is currently promoting the John 10:10 campaign to activate local churches, you can join the movement! I created a team called “The Rural Voice on Health Care”, join to get connected to other Nebraskans. Sojourners and Faith for Health provide more ways to act. Educating others in an organized setting, or even just in casual conversations, gets people interested and caring, and hopefully we can help educate others about the realities rather than misinformation.

Promoting healthy lifestyles in our communities is the greatest thing we can do to make a difference. For example, a community garden gets people active, eating healthy, socializing, and invested in their community. Many churches hold health fairs, blood drives, and provide fresh produce from members’ gardens for others. Getting access to healthy food in food pantries and for low income families is very important when unhealthy calories are cheaper. When it comes to care for the sick, in Matthew 25:45 Jesus reminds us, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family,* you did it to me.”