Leader: Speak up and judge fairly; All: Defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Leader: First Timothy 2, verses 1-2, reads: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, All: for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” Leader: It is indeed right that we should pray for our leaders. All: It is also right that we should defend the rights of the poor and needy. Leader: Our leaders are debating how to “repeal and replace” the Affordable Care Act. We want to know: All: How will the replacement improve children’s health? Leader: How will the replacement improve our elders’ health? All: How will the replacement help poor families afford health insurance? Leader: The proposals are not designed to help people with healthcare, but rather are focused on cutting overall expenditures on healthcare. Under the Affordable Care Act in Virginia, All: 327,000 Virginians gained healthcare coverage, even though Virginia did not fully accept the Medicaid expansion that could have helped 400,000 more. Leader: The Affordable Care Act strengthened Medicaid eligibility and funding, while the proposed replacement will shift responsibility and less money to the states, likely resulting in reduced access for Virginia’s 937,000 Medicaid patients and less support for providers. All: The Affordable Care Act reduced out-of-pocket healthcare expenses for 238,000 Virginians who will see these supports eliminated by 2020. Leader: By eliminating many of the taxes on rich families that supported the expansion of healthcare for poor families, the proposed replacement essentially shifts resources from the poor to the rich. All: How we spend money reflects our values and priorities. Stories
Leader: Policy decisions are not just about facts and figures, but are about people. Let’s hear from people who need the kinds of support offered by the Affordable Care Act: Ask a few people to share their stories. Faith Body Statements Leader: Our faith communities are united in their commitment to expanding, not reducing, support for healthcare for low- and moderate-income families. Hear a few of the faith positions: Select a few of the readings provided at the end of the document. Closing Leader: Because of our religious teachings about caring for the poor, we urge our elected leaders to: All: Oppose the current healthcare replacement plan. Leader: Because of the stories of our neighbors, we urge our leaders to: All: Oppose the current healthcare replacement plan. Leader: Because of the clear statements from our various national and regional faith bodies, we urge our leaders to: All: Oppose the current healthcare replacement plan. Closing prayer: Oh God of justice and mercy. We are troubled that such an important issue as healthcare for Virginians is being rushed through without adequate thought for protecting the poor and the vulnerable in our families and communities. Please touch the hearts of the legislators. Help them rule with justice and mercy. Be with us in the coming days. Give us the courage to be faithful advocates, importuning at every opportunity. As we go forth today, may we be encouraged by those present, reassured in Your vision for righteousness and committed to doing Your will this day and in the coming months and years. Let all the people say, All: Amen. Special thanks to The Commonwealth Institute for the data on who could lose coverage under the proposed changes. What Faith Groups Say About Expanding Healthcare Coverage