Rev. Linda Hanna Walling is the Executive Director of Faithful Reform in Health Care. This piece first appeared in an e-newsletter today from Faithful Reform.
The atmosphere was electric; the anticipation almost too much to bear. It was a bright sunny Sunday afternoon in Washington, DC. and the buds of the trees on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol were bursting into bloom. Both supporters and opponents of health care reform were mixing it up with signs and rhetoric. Friends in the immigration reform movement were passing through on their way to join 100,000 others who were demonstrating on the Mall for comprehensive immigration reform. Hill staffers were giving away gallery tickets for those who wanted to view the floor proceedings. Television and print media were everywhere.
Thanks to an effort initiated by Catholics United, people of faith lined the path where lawmakers would walk from their offices to the House Chamber in the Capitol. The point? To offer a peaceful, respectful, and supportive presence in response to the appalling incident the day before in which a tea-bagger spat upon and yelled a vile racial epithet at Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (MO-5), a United Methodist clergyman. We made our point!
At first, just a few Representatives made their way to the Capitol,
stopping, chatting, shaking our hands, and thanking us. Then it
happened. En masse, House members supportive of meaningful health care
reform walked by. For a few moments, we went crazy and celebrated.
History was being made, and people of faith were standing in the
presence of the persons who in a few hours would take a vote which
would put the health care needs of hurting people above all else. As
they walked away, we knew that, just before entering the Capitol, those
lawmakers were up close and personal with a faith-inspired vision of
health care for all.
Those of us who were there knew that we represented all of you from all
across the country who helped make that moment possible. We knew that
our signs “People of Faith for Health Care Reform” demonstrated your
heart, your commitment, and your vision of a more compassionate health
care future. Together… in person, in spirit, or in prayer… your
witness helped carry the moment.
In the days ahead we will have many opportunities to say thank you —
to Members of Congress who did the right thing, to each other for the
important work we did together, and to our allies for the collective
efforts that led to victory. But for the moment, I offer words of
gratitude on behalf of those who will be afforded health, wholeness,
and human dignity because of our work. (To help us all understand how
much this legislation advances our vision, watch for ongoing “Reasons
to be Grateful” updates.)
Health Care Reform: Five Reasons to Be Grateful
- For the first time in our history, lawmakers have made a national legislative commitment to health care.
- 32 million uninsured persons will gain access to insurance over the coming years.
- The gap in Medicare prescription drug coverage (the “doughnut hole”) for senior adults will be closed.
- Insurance companies will be prohibited from denying insurance to persons with pre-existing conditions.
- Young adults will be permitted to remain on parents’ insurance plans until age 26.
Of course, in the midst of this victory, we know that our work is not
done, and acknowledge our continuing call for health care justice. The
next step is the Senate vote. Beyond that, until our immigrant brothers
and sisters experience the benefits of health care reform, until
disparities in health care delivery are eliminated, until the needs of
people are placed above profits, and until we recognize as a nation
that we are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, our work is not done. I
rejoice that so many of you have already committed to the journey
ahead!