1. Background

Reform Jewish tradition teaches us that human life is of infinite value and that the preservation of life supersedes almost all other considerations. We are constantly commanded “not to stand idly by the blood of our neighbors.” We believe that God endowed us with the understanding and ability to become God’s partners in making a better world. Three health care obligations flow from these core values:

First, physicians have an obligation to heal. As Moses Maimonides concluded in Commentary on Mishnah Nedarim 4:4: "It is obligatory from the Torah for the physician to heal the sick and this is included in the explanation of the phrase: 'and you shall restore it to him' meaning to heal the body."

Second, patients have an obligation to obtain health care. Our bodies and souls belong to God, and we have to ensure that they are cared for. The verse in Deuteronomy (4:15) "You shall indeed guard your souls," has traditionally been interpreted as commanding us to protect our health. "Whoever is in pain, lead him to the physician," (Baba Kamma 46B). Third, providing health care was not just an obligation for the patient and the doctor, but for the society as well. It is for this reason that health care is listed first by Maimonides on his list of the ten most important communal services that had to be offered by a city to its residents. (Mishneh Torah, Sefer Hamadda IV:23).

From these themes, we must conclude that when members of a society at large are ill, our responsibility — not only of the medical profession but for of all of us — expands to ensure that medical resources are available at an affordable cost to those who need them. This principle is also embodied in the concept of mipnei tikkun ha-olam — what we are obliged to do in order to repair the world in which we find ourselves.

There are currently 47 million people in the United States who are uninsured, including approximately 2.9 million New Yorkers. Of the total uninsured, about 50% are employed full-time or part-time, or work for small employers that do not provide health insurance. New York State offers a number of publicly funded programs that provide health care coverage including Medicaid, Child Health Plus, Family Health Plus and Healthy New York. Even though NYS provides these publicly funded programs, we believe that the state must take the next step in providing access to quality, affordable health care coverage to all New Yorkers in need.

2. Status and Legislative Summary

In July 2007, Former Governor Spitzer directed the Health Commissioner and the Insurance Superintendent to develop a comprehensive strategy for universal health insurance for New York State. The Commissioner and Superintendent will develop a final proposal for universal coverage and any interim steps toward that goal by May 31, 2008.

Additionally, the FY2007-08 state budget provided funding for an independent study to review options for universal health care, as well as administrative changes and streamlining Medicaid eligibility rules to encourage the 900,000 uninsured Medicaid-eligible adults to enroll, expansion of Child Health Plus to provide access to coverage for all currently uninsured children in New York(insuring 400,000 more children by increasing eligibility to 400% of the poverty level).

Also in July 2007, former Governor Spitzer signed legislation to expand access to low-cost health insurance under the Family Health Plus plan. Under the law, private employers have the option to buy into the State’s Family Health Plus insurance program, which was previously available only to New Yorkers who met income eligibility requirements and lacked other coverage.

3. Position of the Reform Jewish Movement

The provision of more affordable and accessible health care in America has become a pressing matter for Reform Jews, who operate with a prophetic mandate to “do justly” and to provide for those in need. URJ resolutions on “social insurance” for adequate health care date back to 1948 and on a single payer approach to national health care to 1975.

The URJ has consistently supported universal health care coverage. A 1975 URJ Resolution on “Health Care and Health Insurance” called for: a “national comprehensive prepaid single benefit standard health insurance with no deductible, to cover prevention, treatment and rehabilitation in all fields of health care.” Similarly, in a 1976 resolution, the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) called on Congress to “enact a comprehensive national health insurance program.”

In 1993, the URJ adopted another Resolution on Reform of the Health Care system, which reiterated its support for previously stated principles, advocated a single-payer system, and encouraged congregations to continue their educational efforts on health care, with a special focus on promoting advocacy by the congregations and their members on health care reform. In this resolution, the URJ stated:

“We seek a national health care plan which grants universal access to health care benefits, including access to primary and acute health care, immunization services, early diagnostic and treatment programs, provider and consumer education, programs of extended care and rehabilitation, mental health, and health and wellness promotion. Such a program should provide for education, training and re-training of health care workers as well as just compensation and affirmative action in hiring. An effective plan will provide for cost containment, equitable financing and assure quality of services.”

While this statement refers to a national health care plan the Reform movement also supports providing universal coverage at the state level. Affordable, accessible, quality health care should be seen as a right and a public good. At the same time, we support transparency, accountability, ethical behavior and appropriate financial controls in the administration of the programs.

In his December 15, 2007 sermon at the Biennial of the Union for Reform Judaism our Director, Rabbi Eric Yoffie, urged states not to wait for a federal response to our health care crisis, but that, “communities are obligated to provide healing to all of their citizens.” He noted that,” Something is profoundly wrong when somebody else’s medical crisis is no longer our problem, and when we are so unwilling to come to each other’s aid---and that providing health insurance for all is about helping a family member, a neighbor, or a fellow citizen because, next time, any one of us could be facing catastrophe. It is not just about them, it is about us.”

4. Related Links

· Interfaith Impact of NYS– www.interfaithimpactnys.org

· Physicians for a National Healthcare Plan– www.pnhp.org

· Hunger Action Network of New York– www.hungeractionnys.org

· Rekindling Reform– www.rekindlingreform.org

· Balcony- www.balconynewyork.com

· Citizen Action of New York– www.citizenaction.org/

5. Talking Points

• There are approximately 2.9 million New Yorkers who are uninsured. Of these, there are 400,000 children, 1 million women and 1.4 million in poverty who are uninsured; approximately 900,000 are Medicaid eligible but not enrolled. The human and economic losses created by this situation are enormous. We need universal access to quality affordable health care for all New Yorkers.
• “Heal the hurt of my people” is a Biblical mandate. Bringing healing to the sick is one of our basic human obligations, attested to by both the Jewish and Christian Scriptures. As individuals of faith, we have a duty to help ensure that basic health care is available to each and every resident of New York State. Financially, socially and ethically, we cannot afford to do otherwise.
• We commend the legislature for the agreement between you and Governors Spitzer and Paterson to expand New York’s Child Health Plus program by increasing eligibility to 400% of the poverty level, which will insure 400,000 more children and is a step in the right direction.
• Funding was provided in the FY2007-08 budget for an independent study to review options for greater access to health care in New York. We urge that the review of the Urban Institute’s (the group selected to do the study) report is an open process that includes public input from consumers, providers, and other stakeholders.
• Health care must be accessible for all New Yorkers, and we urge you to commit to finding a workable solution that will provide access to quality, affordable health care for everyone in the state.