Oakland clergy on Capitol Hill to press for affordable health care

Health Care Access

Oakland Community Organizations (OCO), PICO National Network, January 19, 2010, San Francisco Chronicle

Earlier this month, according to a press release from the PICO National Network, over 750 elected officials, faith, labor, and nonprofit leaders across the country sent a letter to President Obama and Congress calling for stronger protections for low and moderate income Americans in the final health reform legislation. Together, they - and the hundreds of other elected officials, clergy, small business owners, health practitioners, health care providers and heads of organizations that signed the letter - represent more than 100 million people throughout the United States.

On Wednesday, more than 200 of these leaders gathered in Washington, D.C. for an Affordability Summit, where they met with members of their Congressional delegations and delivered the message that affordability of coverage for all families is paramount to health reform's success. As well on Wednesday, local leaders held public events across the country to deliver affordability keys to the district offices of their Congressional representatives.

Oakland was represented by the Rev. Dr. George Cummings, Senior Pastor of Imani Community Church, and the Rev. James Hopkins, Pastor of Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church. Both of their congregations are members of Oakland Community Organizations, a federation of congregations, schools, and allied community organizations, representing over 40,000 families in Oakland. OCO is part of PICO, a national network of faith-based community organizations working to create solutions to problems facing urban, suburban and rural communties across the country.

I have to admit to being somewhat reluctant to enter the discussion about health care, knowing full well the emotions stirred on either side. I also admit that the issue is far too complex for me to address with any competency.

Yet after ten years of leading a Catholic parish in the flatlands of Oakland, I am accutely aware of the struggles that families endure regarding health care decisions and the financial hardships that often result, particularly if a family lacks adequate health insurance. I also know this from first-hand experience.

In 1994, my father found himself out of work and without health insurance. He became ill and was hopitalized at Alta Bates in Berkeley, where he underwent surgery. He died soon afterwards, and we were presented a bill of $50,000 to cover his medical expenses. Having no way of paying the bill, Alta Bates was extraordinarily generous in forgiving the debt. I don't know how our family could have possibly defrayed the costs of that hospital bill.

The key to health care is affordability. If federal legislation mandates the purchase of a health plan by all U.S. citizens, it would be sensible to make the coverage accessible by setting premiums and out-of-pocket costs at levels that are likely to be affordable to lower-income working families. My hope is that President Obama and the Congress consider those elements as they craft the final health reform legislation.