By the time this appears I cannot predict what the status of the “Health Care” bill in Congress will be. But, the concerns for Health Care will remain real and current regardless of the current discussion. And for us as committed, spiritual Jews we must remain in the discussion at every step.

While this is being discussed in the political arena, Health Care is not a political issue (well it is at this time because of the various interested political entities). But at the essentially human moral, ethical and American base Health Care is an issue far beyond any political party. And we, if we are to live up to our moral spiritual responsibilities must assure that the discussion remain on the moral level.

For Jewish tradition, Health Care is a right not a commodity. And right now, too many Congresspeople and Senators (and too many pundits, too) have forced the discussion into dollars and cents (with little sense). Let me state this again: Health Care is a right, not a commodity. From a Jewish perspective we have a God-given and accepted (we are in covenant) responsibility to assure that all have accessible and affordable health care. If you live in a community without such health care, you are to move (so any number of our rabbinic commentators through time).

Clearly the plans being tossed around congress which in some form may well reach the President have had little to do with Health Care Reform and much to do with Health Insurance Reform. Both are needed, but they aren’t the same. And this is important. Currently, most of us younger than Medicare age gain access to our Health Care through what could best be described as Private Government Health Insurance. These private governments are able to tax you with next to no regulation and for you, not representation. For that rate increase you may have received is a private tax. These private government bureaucrats determine what limits there will be on your health care, they determine, which doctors you may see (that’s called interfering with the doctor/patient relationship), and what procedures they will cover and for how much, and when (that’s called rationing).

We have the best Health Care opportunities in the world, but only if you are able to afford them. So, I agree that most of us are happy with our Health Care. That is the wrong moral question to ask. Who gets that Health Care, and how much does it cost is the question. I am a Board member of RISC (Richmonders Involved in Strengthening Communities) the most effect Community Organizing group in the greater Richmond area. (Or Ami is the only synagogue member). One of the most important accomplishments of RISC is this: For the past 8 years around 11,000 Richmonders who are working poor who don’t qualify for Medicare and can’t afford real health insurance have gained access to a wonderful program run through the VCU Hospital. Thanks to VCU, rather than going to the Emergency Room they are able to find a Medical Home, access to Primary Care. Now, due to RISC’s partnering with the hospital leadership those numbers are around 16,000. That’s providing accessible, affordable Health Care with Public Government dollars.

Private government Insurance companies are not health driven, they are profit driven. Thus, each time they have to pay a claim, they lose money. It is no accident that Public Government Medicare has only a 2-3% overhead on expenses, for the goal of Medicare is to provide Health Care, not profits. Private Government Insurance Companies bottom line is their bottom line- which helps explain those numbers soaring to 17-20% for the Insurance companies. When those private government bureaucrats refuse to pay your claim they are assuring higher profits for the company. That is their job. The bottom line is the bottom line for health insurance companies. That’s their business.

But, the “business” of Health Care should be Health Care, not business. For Health Care is not just any business. It is about assuring that every man woman and child in the United States knows that their Public Government accepts its moral responsibility to provide access to Health Care for them. That first and foremost the members and leaders of our government care about the people and not Insurance Company profits.

From a Jewish moral and ethical position, this is simply immoral. From and American ethical and moral position as well. Jewishly we must assure that each person is able to receive accessible and affordable health care. Those with the means to support must give to assure that happens. From my understanding, this is also an American value. Providing for the safety and security of all Americans means providing affordable accessible health care to all Americans. That is a covenantal responsibility of the government. And they can be held accountable. That’s the difference between Public Government and Private Government. That’s the difference between immoral and moral.

Every morning in the Siddur (prayerbook) we read that we are to uplift the fallen and heal the sick. Let us walk out of the prayer rooms and work to make that come true for all Americans.

L’Shalom,

Rabbi Ben