The Acts of Convention

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on National and International Concerns presented its Report #11 on Resolution C071 (Healthcare Coverage for All) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(C071)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 76th General Convention call on its congregations to undertake discussions within the parish of the issue of healthcare coverage in the United States, including:

a) recognition that health is multi-dimensional, with spiritual, social, environmental and mental elements as well as physical

b) reminder of personal responsibility for healthy life choices and concern for maintaining one’s own health

c) proclaiming the Gospel message of concern for others which extends to concern for their physical health as well as spiritual well-being

d) responsibility as a parish to attend to the needs (including health-related needs) of others, both other members of the parish family and those of the wider community, the nation and the world

e) recognition that there are limits to what the healthcare system can and should provide and thus that some uncomfortable and difficult choices may have to be made if we are to limit healthcare costs; and be it further

Resolved, That, following up on the discussions within the parishes, communicants, individually and congregationally, be urged to contact elected federal [and,], state [and territorial] officials encouraging them to:

a) create, with the assistance of experts in related fields, a comprehensive definition of “basic healthcare” to which our nation’s citizens have a right

b) establish a system to provide basic healthcare to all

c) create an oversight mechanism, separate from the immediate political arena, to audit the delivery of that “basic healthcare”

d) educate our citizens in the need for limitations on what each person can be expected to receive in the way of medical care under a universal coverage program in order to make the program sustainable financially

e) educate our citizens in the role of personal responsibility in promoting good health with provisions of restricting to some degree treatments for disease in which the patient fails or refuses to comply with good medical practice; and be it further

Resolved, That this resolution be distributed to all dioceses of The Episcopal Church of America for their consideration and support; and be it further

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention call upon The Episcopal Church to establish and fund a task force to develop action plans and educational materials for dioceses and parishes to conduct the above-described activities; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance to consider a budget allocation of $5,000 for the implementation of this resolution.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 76th General Convention call on its congregations to undertake discussions within the parish of the issue of healthcare coverage in the United States, including:

a) recognition that health is multi-dimensional, with spiritual, social, environmental and mental elements as well as physical

b) reminder of personal responsibility for healthy life choices and concern for maintaining one’s own health

c) proclaiming the Gospel message of concern for others which extends to concern for their physical health as well as spiritual well-being

d) responsibility as a parish to attend to the needs (including health-related needs) of others, both other members of the parish family and those of the wider community, the nation and the world

e) recognition that there are limits to what the healthcare system can and should provide and thus that some uncomfortable and difficult choices may have to be made if we are to limit healthcare costs; and be it further

Resolved, That, following up on the discussions within the parishes, communicants, individually and congregationally, be urged The Episcopal Church urge its members to contact elected federal [and,] state [and territorial] officials encouraging them to:

a) create, with the assistance of experts in related fields, a comprehensive definition of “basic healthcare” to which our nation’s citizens have a right

b) establish a system to provide basic healthcare to all

c) create an oversight mechanism, separate from the immediate political arena, to audit the delivery of that “basic healthcare”

d) educate our citizens in the need for limitations on what each person can be expected to receive in the way of medical care under a universal coverage program in order to make the program sustainable financially

e) educate our citizens in the role of personal responsibility in promoting good health with provisions of restricting to some degree treatments for disease in which the patient fails or refuses to comply with good medical practice; and be it further

Resolved, That this resolution be distributed to all Provinces and dioceses of The Episcopal Church of Americafor their consideration and support; and be it further

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention call upon The Episcopal Church to establish and fund a task force to develop action plans and educational materials for dioceses and parishes to conduct the above-described activities; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance to consider a budget allocation of $5,000 for the implementation of this resolution.

Deputy Kammerer of Tennessee moved to divide the resolution after the first resolve clause.

Motion defeated

Division rejected

Deputy Halsted of Nebraska moved to amend the resolution.

Proposed Amendment:

In the second resolve clause, at the end of section e, add “, and” after the word “health.” Add a new section f as follows: “f) institute meaningful torte reform to better advance the above goals.”

Deputy Cooley of Colorado moved the previous question on the amendment.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

Deputy Cooley of Colorado moved the previous question on the main motion.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on the Halsted amendment.

Motion defeated

Amendment defeated

A vote was taken on Resolution C071 as amended.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #95)