Resolution Number: 1994-A057
Title: Adopt Church Principles on Access to Health Care
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred As Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That this 71st General Convention of the Episcopal Church adopt the following four principles as the position of the Episcopal Church regarding health care:

That universal access to quality, cost effective, health care services be considered necessary for everyone in the population.

That "quality health care" be defined so as to include programs in preventive medicine, where wellness is the first priority.

That "quality health care" include interdisciplinary and interprofessional components to insure the care of the whole person--physiological, spiritual, psychological, social.

That "quality health care" include the balanced distribution of resources so that no region of the country is underserved.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Indianapolis, 1994 (New York: General Convention, 1995), p. 288.

Legislative History

Author: The Standing Commission on Health
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Committee on Social and Urban Affairs

House of Deputies

Original Text of Resolution:

(A057)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That this 71st General Convention of the Episcopal Church adopt the following five principles as the position of the Episcopal Church regarding health care:

That universal access to quality, cost effective, health care services be considered necessary for every one in the population, including those requiring long term health care.

That "quality health care" be defined so as to include programs in preventive medicine, where wellness is the first priority.

That "quality health care" include interdisciplinary and interprofessional components to insure the care of the whole person (physiological, spiritual, psychological, social) in the community in which that person lives.

That "quality health care" include the balanced distribution of human resources, and not merely of financial resources, so that no region of the country is underserved by health care professionals, including primary care providers and nurses.

That "quality health care" should include the treatment of incurably ill persons such that pain and distress are relieved even if life is shortened. Followers of the crucified and risen Christ do not place highest value on mere biological existence.

Proposed Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That this 71st General Convention of the Episcopal Church adopt the following five four principles as the position of the Episcopal Church regarding health care:

That universal access to quality, cost effective, health care services be considered necessary for everyone in the population. including those requiring long term health care.

That "quality health care" be defined so as to include programs in preventive medicine, where wellness is the first priority.

That "quality health care" include interdisciplinary and interprofessional components to insure the care of the whole person-- (physiological, spiritual, psychological, social ). in the community in which that person lives.

That "quality health care" include the balanced distribution of human resources , and not merely of financial resources so that no region of the country is underserved by health care professionals, including primary care. providers and nurses

That "quality health care" should include the treatment of incurably ill persons such that pain and distress are relieved even if life is shortened. Followers of the crucified and risen Christ do not place highest value on mere biological existence.

Deputy Burns of Lexington moved an amendment to A057.

Proposed Amendment:

Restore from the amended version all of line 17 and that portion of line 18 through the word "shortened."

A vote was taken on the Burns amendment to A057.

Motion defeated

Burns amendment defeated

Deputy Bond of Western Kansas moved an amendment to A057.

Proposed Amendment:

Restore lines 5-12 stricken by the Committee's amendment.

Debate followed.

The question was called to terminate debate on the Bond amendment to A057 and on the main motion.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on the Bond amendment.

Motion defeated

Bond amendment defeated

A vote was taken on A057, as amended.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #163)

House of Bishops

The Committee on Social and Urban Affairs presented its Report #22 on House of Deputies Message #163 on Resolution A057a (Health Care Principles) and moved concurrence.

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #203)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, September 1.

Report Reference:   Standing Commission on Health, Reports to the 71st General Convention, 1994, pp. 288-301.
Abstract:   The 71st General Convention adopts four principles as the position of the Church regarding universal access to quality, cost effective health care services.