In the Medicaid program, which provides health care to poor and medically indigent persons, costs to individual states continue to spiral. Assisted suicide has been proposed in some states, and is a frequent topic of public and private debate. While research and technology advances have led to reduced death rates of certain diseases, others continue to be the leading cause of death and preventable illness in the United States, through its contributions to heart and lung disease and a variety of types of cancer. Other segments of our population are learning how to make decisions about same sex unions and how this impacts health care. People of color struggle to find culturally relevant health care.
Migrant workers have problems in getting both primary health care and ongoing care of illness.
The many facets and issues of health care have been changing dramatically, and there is good reason to believe that this trend will continue. We would do well to be alert, interpreting events in the framework of the Reformed faith. Despite changes, barriers, and frustrations in health care, we are called to persevere and to expand our efforts. Likewise, we are to encourage churchwide health ministry and health-care advocacy. We are called to move ahead with energy and purpose in reclaiming our heritage of healing and wholeness.