CNN carried an interesting article recently about Obama’s efforts to reach out to communities of faith in the health care debate. The president is framing the discussion in explicitly religious terms, criticizing those who are “bearing false witness” against both the specifics of the plan and against those who advocate it. Particularly moving was this remark:
These are all fabrications that have been put out there in order to discourage people from meeting what I consider to be a core ethical and moral obligation: that is, that we look out for one another; that is, I am my brother’s keeper, I am my sister’s keeper. And in the wealthiest nation in the world right now we are neglecting to live up to that call.
Obama has often spoken in the past of the importance of the biblical idea of caring for “the least of these”. The paragraph above echoes this sentiment; but unfortunately, Obama also advocates one aspect of the plan that goes startlingly against this ethos. Seeking to reassure dissenters about the acceptability of the proposal, the president has also stressed that the plan will not provide health care to undocumented Americans.
Despite the fact that most so-called “illegal aliens” do in fact pay taxes, the mainstream political discourse in this country (including Obama, unfortunately) seems united, regardless of party, around the importance of excluding this group from health reform. Tragically, undocumented workers are among the most vulnerable in the present system, because of their fragile political status and the legal complexity of navigating American medical insurance. In the fullest sense, “illegal” immigrants are the least of these, those whom we as Christians are called to serve and to be in solidarity with. What we do to them, we do to Christ himself (Matthew 25.40).
Thus, Obama’s public exclusion of the least among us from his health care reform is a manifest failure, a compromise that is unnecessary and saddening. His attitude in this regard goes against an aspect of his faith that he has himself emphasized. Let us hope that he will awake to the puzzling inconsistencey of his words. And let us hope that as the much-needed reform bill continues to advance through Congress, there will be some at least who seek to broaden its scope to truly provide health care for all.
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20 August 2009 at 14:54
Samantha
though your overall point is valid, the political institution seems particularly poorly fitted to care for “the least of these”, if for no other reason than you one you presented: it is inherently nationalistic, and thus seeks the well-being of its own people (aka voters) above others. that’s why the church or non-nationalist entities are better suited to care for the poor (especially those seeking a better life for their families in a prosperous country like America)
21 August 2009 at 16:36
fblishen
Having just recently visited the US from Canada I could really feel the tension around this issue. Once people knew I was Canadian they would ask what I thought of health care. One lady in particular spoke to the issue you raise about illegal immigrants when she voiced her concern about giving free health care to those who have not paid into the system. She felt that no matter what financial situation everyone should pay what they can. I told here that there would always be those who never pay enough and those who will pay to much.
Health care is as Obama spoke to less about everyone getting what they paid for and more about the fortunate helping out those who are less fortunate. There will always be those who abuse the system or are undeserving but that is the cost of love. Loving others is a messy business and you often get hurt doing it. But that should not deter us from loving. In fact as Christians we are free to love others without boundaries. We are free to be used and then trust again. That is a privilege that many people do not have. It is a privilege born of forgiveness.