wfn.org | NCCCUSA Joins Effort to Assure Children's Health

[CAROL_FOUKE.parti@ecunet.org]

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.
Contact: Carol J. Fouke, NCC, 212-870-2252
Internet: carol_fouke.parti@ecunet.org

(Dr. Pennybacker delivered this statement in Washington, D.C., May 13,
1997, at a news conference sponsored by the "Campaign for CHILD Health
Now.")

A STATEMENT FROM
THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST IN THE U.S.A.

The Rev. Dr. Albert M. Pennybacker
Associate General Secretary for Public Policy
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.
May 13, 1997

 As we have heard, our nation's attention to its children is profoundly
flawed and found wanting!  One matter--a moral matter:  the health care for
children--now insists, in this flawed and selfish time--on focused, fair
and aggressive attention.

 On behalf of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.,
its General Secretary, The Rev. Dr. Joan Brown Campbell, and its policy
statements on both children and health, I am honored to join with others in
voicing support for the Hatch-Kennedy bill.

 The 33 national member communions of the National Council of Churches,
with their 54 million constituent members have long expressed through their
representatives their commitment to children--all children--and their
chance for healthy life.  I tell you, if the voices of religious folk were
heard today, Congress would have no choice but to enact adequate child
health care legislation promptly.

 The Hatch-Kennedy bill addresses, as you know, the health care of children
and their families on limited and low income and in actual poverty.  But
beware of the stereotypes!  The need lies most with working families who
cannot afford medical insurance today.  Nearly 80% in two-parent families,
better than half non-Hispanic white.

 The Hatch-Kennedy bill is neither as complete nor as compassionate as we
might hope --nor as we believe a caring society needs to provide.  But it
reaches to redress an intolerable inequity.  The promise of life in every
child requires, as all decent people must agree, at least a healthy chance!
Together we must provide that chance.

 We recognize strategic differences among our churches regarding
Hatch-Kennedy.  To my knowledge those differences in every instance lie in
wanting more, not less.  Yet we are united in a common hope:  from the
deliberative processes of the 105th Congress, we want the most complete,
the most reliable and the most compassionate legislation the Members of
Congress can find the will and the conscience to enact.

 The moral mandate is clear:  the love of neighbor means especially the
children, included in the Bible's phrase "the little ones."  And the
consequence for failing to attend to "the little ones"--that is, for
causing them to "stumble"--is also clear, and dreadful!  God will not
ignore those who ignore the children.  Neither must we!

 We in the religious community will continue to hold Congress to a high
standard as to what is required for the common good.  Providing for the
health care of children is simply basic social morality.  The bipartisan
Hatch-Kennedy bill warrants, we believe, broad support.

 ***  End of original note ***