Contact: Jeff Walton, Institute on Religion and Democracy, 202-682-4131
WASHINGTON, March 24 /Christian Newswire/ -- During closing remarks before the House of Representatives approved passage of health care legislation, Speaker Nancy Pelosi thanked religious left groups for their enthusiastic support. Specifically cited among them was the United Methodist Church for having lobbied Congress to "Say yes to health care reform."
"That is why we're proud and also humbled today to act with the support of millions of Americans who recognize the urgency of passing health care reform," Pelosi declared from the House floor. "And more than 350 organizations, representing Americans of every age, every background, every part of the country, who have endorsed this legislation."
"To the American Medical Association, the Catholic Health Association, the United Medical -- the United Methodist Church, and Voices of America's Children. From A to Z -- they are sending a clear message to Members of Congress: Say yes to health care reform."
Pelosi's website lists major pro-Obamacare groups to which she thanks. The site names the National Council of Churches, the United Methodist Board of Church and Society, and Faithful Reform in Health Care, a coalition that included Mainline Protestant agencies.
"We are not finished," explained Jim Winkler of the United Methodist lobby office. "There is more work to be done in the weeks, months and years ahead to fulfill the need for health care around the globe."
IRD President Mark Tooley commented:
"A government take-over of America's health care system is a long sought, messianic dream for the Religious Left. But the version of Obamacare that Congress approved is still somewhat of a disappointment to those who insist that direct federal control through a single payer system is God's plan for medical justice.
"The Religious Left version of Jesus' love is an unceasingly expanding federal welfare state that coercively seizes assets from one segment of society for redistribution to other segments, according to coarse political calculations, and with all the efficiency and compassion for which mammoth state bureaucracies are renowned.
"Religious Left activists primarily see religion as an organizing tool for extinguishing private alternatives to state control of health care and virtually every other facet of human life. Obamacare, with its frustrating maintenance of private insurance, is an insufficient but a hoped for first step towards the eradication of private medicine and, the Religious Left inwardly hopes, ultimately of the private economy and private charity. After all, there is no salvation outside Big Government."
www.TheIRD.org
