Churches step into health care reform debate

Congress is on summer recess, but Americans who are motivated by their faith are joining the conversation over changing the way health care is paid for.The Huntsville Chapter of Health Care for Everyone-Alabama, for example, includes many who are motivated by their faith to support ways Americans can ensure that everyone has affordable health care.

It's an urgent need here in the buckle of the Bible Belt, where statistics show Alabama has one of the nation's highest rates of infant mortality - due in part to mothers' poor health care.

Dr. Pippa Abston, deacon at United Church of Huntsville and a physician health care for the homeless organizer, said her own concerns are an outgrowth of her faith.

"From a Christian perspective, it's clear that we are to take care of each other and the sick," Abston said. "Cost-effectiveness just doesn't figure into the Biblical formula."

But Abston sees cost-effectiveness as part of the practical results of universal health care, too. She points to how chronic conditions, like high blood pressure, can be inexpensive compared to untreated blood pressure which results in a massive stroke disability.

"And, of course, we pay for that," Abston said, referring to Social Security's disability programs. "I think there are a lot of costs to doing it this way that people aren't considering."

The current system, says public health nurse Lisa Carter, also perpetuates costs for generations.

Carter collects data on infant deaths from 12 counties in northern Alabama for the state Department of Health. Part of the reason for the state's high infant mortality, Carter says, is the number of babies whose mothers do not have health care.

"Women are bringing untreated chronic medical problems into their pregnancies -- hypertension, diabetes," Carter said. "More than 50 percent of babies are born to mothers on Medicaid."

Kay Campbell writes for The Huntsville Times in Huntsville, Ala.