Christian Lawmakers, Keep This in Mind

Many political leaders who support the U.S. House of Representatives or U.S. Senates' version of a new health care bill proudly identify themselves as Christian, pro-life and pro-family. What puzzles me is how these leaders reconcile their personal values and commitments with embracing a plan that limits or excludes poor people as well as persons with pre-existing conditions. In other words, how is this plan pro-life, pro-family and consistent with their Christian beliefs and practices? In fact, this plan is an affront to Jesus because it excludes the most vulnerable people from coverage. Jesus did not waver in the priority he gave to those who were poor, hungry, sick or imprisoned, or who were strangers. There is ample biblical evidence for making this claim. Consider just one example, Jesus' words about God's judgment of nations in his parable of the sheep and the goats. Jesus says those who do not feed the hungry and provide for the poor, and who refuse hospitality to the stranger and care for the sick fail to be faithful to his example and to God's expectations (Matthew 25:34-46).