To: Governor Tony Evers
Governor Walker - Implement the Affordable Care Act in Wisconsin
Now that the Supreme Court has ruled the Affordable Care Act constitutional, we, the undersigned Wisconsin faith organizations, clergy and people of faith, urge you to move ahead with the creation of a state exchange and the expansion on Medicaid in accordance with the provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
As people of faith, we believe it is a moral imperative for governments to see to it that all its citizens have affordable health care. In just a few examples from some of our religious teachings: In the Jewish tradition, doctors are forbidden to withhold care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De’ah 336:1), and governments are mandated to see to it that health care is available to all. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America calls for, in its social justice policy, “a comprehensive approach to health care as a shared endeavor among individuals, churches, government, and the wider society;” (http://www.elca.org/What-We-Believe/Social-Issues/Social-Statements/Health-and-Healthcare.aspx). The United Church of Christ General Synod called on its congregations to "enlist all members of the UCC and its constituent parts to work for the establishment of an affordable accessible health care system for all persons residing in the United States;” (http://www.ucc.org/justice/health/what-is-health-care-ministry.html).
In order that our great state can meet the legal deadlines under the PPACA and be prepared for its execution, and in the spirit of legislative cooperation which you all advocated following June’s election, we call upon you to implement the provisions of the Act here in Wisconsin, including the creation of a state health care exchange and the expansion of Medicaid The people of Wisconsin deserve a government that sees to the needs of its citizens, including access to affordable health care!
As people of faith, we believe it is a moral imperative for governments to see to it that all its citizens have affordable health care. In just a few examples from some of our religious teachings: In the Jewish tradition, doctors are forbidden to withhold care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De’ah 336:1), and governments are mandated to see to it that health care is available to all. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America calls for, in its social justice policy, “a comprehensive approach to health care as a shared endeavor among individuals, churches, government, and the wider society;” (http://www.elca.org/What-We-Believe/Social-Issues/Social-Statements/Health-and-Healthcare.aspx). The United Church of Christ General Synod called on its congregations to "enlist all members of the UCC and its constituent parts to work for the establishment of an affordable accessible health care system for all persons residing in the United States;” (http://www.ucc.org/justice/health/what-is-health-care-ministry.html).
In order that our great state can meet the legal deadlines under the PPACA and be prepared for its execution, and in the spirit of legislative cooperation which you all advocated following June’s election, we call upon you to implement the provisions of the Act here in Wisconsin, including the creation of a state health care exchange and the expansion of Medicaid The people of Wisconsin deserve a government that sees to the needs of its citizens, including access to affordable health care!
Why is this important?
Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice calls upon Governor Scott Walker and the leaders of the Wisconsin Senate and Assembly to implement the state health care exchange and the expansion of Medicaid, as called for in the Affordable Care Act. As clergy and people of faith, we believe it is a moral imperative to provide health care for all our citizens.