Full Legislative History
Resolution Number: 2000-A079
Title: Create an Association of Episcopal Health Care Groups and Individuals
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Substituted
Final Text:

Resolved, That the Executive Council direct the Office of the Bishop for the Armed Services, Healthcare and Prison Ministries to convene representatives of the Episcopal healthcare groups (including the Association of Episcopal Healthcare Chaplains and the National Episcopal Healthcare Ministries) and individuals representing various professions in healthcare and in healthcare policy (recognizing the need for advice on the financial challenges inherent in this area), as well as those engaged in the teaching of, and research on medical ethics and end-of-life issues; and be it further

Resolved, That this Office and group work in cooperation with the Office of Government Relations, as well as appropriate interfaith and ecumenical organizations to articulate and communicate to public policy makers and the public, the positions of the Episcopal Church with regard to healthcare policy. This will include: advocacy for a healthcare system in which all may be guaranteed decent and appropriate primary healthcare during their lives and as they approach death; keeping abreast of the rapidly changing healthcare market and developments in biomedical research as they affect health-related public policies; collecting, collating, and developing resources and teaching materials related to access to healthcare for the use of dioceses, congregations, and individuals; and be it further

Resolved, That this Office develop structures which will further useful cooperation and support among the institutions, organizations, and individuals engaged in healthcare; and be it further

Resolved, That the Office of the Bishop for Armed Services, Healthcare and Prison Ministries report to the 74th General Convention the results of this action.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Denver, 2000 (New York: General Convention, 2001), p. 218.