Open by telling the story of someone who does not have health insurance and what that has meant for him/her.
Mark 6:53-36 tells of crowds coming to Jesus and simply touching his garment in order to receive healing – certainly more cost-effective than our current system!
Miraculous healings still happen, of course – but God also heals our brokenness through health care system. But right now, the system is broken and particularly leaves out those on the margins or with “pre-existing conditions.”
Describe the broken state of our health care system: 47 million Americans lack health insurance. Another 16 million are underinsured. Annual health care costs in France are approximately US$3,300 per person, compared with $6,400 in the U.S. (2005). Yet, France was ranked first in a 2000 World Health Organization ranking of the world’s health care systems. The U.S. ranked 37th. More info here.
Task of fixing system is huge and can seem impossible. But we can learn from Mark 6:35-52 that no task is impossible for God (in a span of 17 verses, Jesus feeds 5000 people, walks on water and calms a storm). The stories teach us that God helps us get beyond our limited ideas (vv. 35-37, 49-52) to envision a new reality—one based on generosity rather than scarcity, and trust rather than fear.
Resources and guiding principles from Mennonite Church USA on health care:
Guided by these principles, as Christians we can call for a health care system that works for everyone – suggest action steps (study, advocate to governmental officials, work at creatively providing for health care needs in local community).
