If one person is able to save another and does not, she or he transgresses the commandment, “Neither shall you stand idly by the blood of your neighbor” (Lev. 19:16). Yet as Rabbi Eric Yoffie declared last December at the Union’s San Diego Biennial, “We live in a country with a pitifully inadequate health care system. The time has long since passed when our leaders should have done what every other advanced country has somehow managed to do: provide all its citizens with essential heath care . . .” How do we as Reform Jews raise a faith voice for change in health care?
Rabbi Micah Greenstein Closing Statement
It has been an honor to learn with Dr. Jill Ginsberg and Reform Jews from across North America through this Eilu v’Eilu exchange.
As we conclude this discussion on raising a faith voice for change in health care, the Jewish aphorism, “pray as if everything depends on God; act as if everything depends on you,” comes to mind.
Here are some action steps to consider:
-Re-launch blood drives at Reform congregations to teach pikuach nefesh (saving of human life) as the highest mitzvah of all.
-Engage health care professionals and Reform Jews to volunteer at local clinics such as North by Northeast Clinic and Church Health Center.
-Stay informed and advocate for health care coverage of the uninsured at the state level.
-Keep the heat on both political parties to put healthcare at the top of the priority list in the upcoming elections.
-Plan congregational screenings for prevention, whether by meeting at the Temple to walk and talk, diabetes education classes, or “Commit to Quit”smoking-cessation classes.
-Consider becoming a meeting site for AA.
-Ask your WRJ or MRJ chapter to host a heart-healthy Jewish cooking class for the holidays.
-Urge your rabbi to preach and write about how the worlds of faith and health intersect.
It is clear from this discussion that regardless of our political affiliation or ideology, we must act now. No country in the world can stay healthy by having to allocate such a disproportionate amount of money and resources into one sector of the economy. The growing number of uninsured and underinsured Americans, coupled with the spiraling costs for the already insured, is creating effects we are just beginning to feel – consequences which will make even the current sub-prime market fiasco seem benign.
Israel has the model for us to adapt and promote. Im tirtzu, ayn zo agadah. If there is a serious will for health care reform and coverage for all – for the poorest and richest citizen alike - then the Jewish values which undergird Israel’s approach to this issue constitute a blueprint for action.
Jill Ginsberg Closing Statement
It has been my honor to share this dialogue with Rabbi Greenstein and the Eilu v’Eilu readers.
Here is my prescription for some actions to help move things in the right direction.
Educate Learn what it means to be uninsured in your community. Who are the uninsured? What kind of services are available and at what cost? A great way to do this is to make some “undercover” phone calls to your local agencies: “I just found a lump in my breast but I don’t have a job or health insurance. Where can I get a mammogram and someone to check this out?” “I need a physical and some vaccinations so I can start nursing school but I don’t have money or insurance.” “I’m almost out of my diabetes medication and I need to see a doctor but I just lost my job and health insurance.” “I have a terrible toothache and need help but I can’t afford to go to a dentist.” At your next Social Action Committee meeting, have each member make one of these calls and discuss your findings. Hold an educational event at your congregation; consider screening and discussing the excellent and thought-provoking series “Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making us Sick?” (religious institutions can purchase the DVD for $79).
Advocate Learn about legislation related to healthcare being considered in your state and local community and make your voice heard. Advocate for policies that mitigate the root causes of poor health (eg living wage, affordable housing, safe working conditions, clean air and water, universal early childhood education, affordable secondary education…). Conduct a voter registration drive. Invite your elected officials to an educational forum to discuss their healthcare policy ideas (include people impacted by lack of access to healthcare). As an employer, pay your own employees a living wage and offer the best healthcare coverage you can possibly afford, even if it hurts a little.
Serve If you are a health professional, mentor young people interested in a medical career, especially those from disadvantaged communities. Volunteer some time at a local free clinic or organize a number of doctors and nurses at your congregation to volunteer as a group. Find out what else your local clinics need; just ask. All need financial support, so give generously!
Finally, we all must strive to be responsible healthcare consumers. Don’t demand (or prescribe) a “designer drug” when an inexpensive old standby will do. Don’t demand (or order) expensive tests whose results won’t affect the medical decisions being made. Don’t insist on (or prescribe) antibiotics for a viral infection. Tell your doctor that you are concerned about healthcare costs and urge him or her to refrain from accepting gifts from pharmaceutical companies.
Perhaps most important of all, take care of yourself! Don’t smoke, get some exercise at least five times a week, eat sensibly, spend your time surrounded by people you care about, and ensure a balance in your life between work and play. As Arthur Ashe (and Pastor Mary) would say, “Start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can”.
One wonderful way to bring Reform Israelis and Americans back together is by comparing/sharing values. America implements many fine values from which Israelis can and must learn, but we Israelis may also have what to share.
Yishar koach (Three cheers) for American Jews leading the national and statewide struggles for universal health security. The Israeli health system provides universal health coverage to every citizen. The Israeli universal minimal health basket provides services and supplies and medications; this generous underwriting gives all Israelis health security. The poorest ( and richest) Israeli both pay only a symbolic seven dollar "co-payment" for open heart surgery, organ transplants, and chemotherapies. Of course, like all systems, there is need for and constant attention to updating and improving our system. Judaism should channel us to fulfill our altruistic instincts to ensure health security for all.
Israeli physicians manage very nicely on present incomes, which are far lower than those in the USA, as are the salaries of our wealthiest HMO CEOs. Of course ( I am a physician), we medical staff would be happy to earn even more, but we are dedicated to a system with built-in justice, and the value of fairness is greater than of attaining greater financial gains.
Let the US physicians lead the way to universal health care, and may Reform Jewish physicians be the pioneers who lead the rest. Let the Reform and all other Jews move America onto the path of justice and health security for all. May acting on these values bring fulfillment which outweighs the financial differences.
Jesse Lachter M.D. Vice-Chairperson Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism
--- Stay involved in the discussion by emailing your questions to Eilu@urj.org. For more information on Rabbi Micah Greenstein & Jill Ginsberg, click on the links below
Eilu V'eilu is produced by the URJ Department of Lifelong Jewish Learning. Visit our website for more information.
Please save May 11 – 13, 2009 (and budget ahead) for an interdisciplinary conference, “Midrash & Medicine: Imagining Wholeness”. This event, to be held at the beautiful Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove, California, is being convened by the Kalsman Institute on Judaism and Health at HUC-JIR together with the Bay Area Jewish Healing Center.
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