March 2004 - Tower - Page 9
| Page 8 | T.O.C. | Index | Page 10 |
| Page 8 | T.O.C. | Index | Page 10 |
Thus far in May (19th), we have had no receptions at the church. Co-chairs of Arrangements for June are Jeanne McClellan, Janice Morse, and Gladys Faulk.
The United Methodist Men will not have a regular breakfast meeting in June. Watch the July/August Tower for the next meeting
Are your Covered?
"Are you covered?" This question becomes more and more important in our lives. We have fire insurance, burglary insurance, collision insurance, life insurance, flood insurance, and health insurance. We have these because they provide some peace of mind that when a crisis occurs we will have some protection.
The week of May 10-16 was designated "Cover the Uninsured Week." Why this? It is a problem for about 44 million Americans who have no health insurance. Of this number nearly 8.5 million American children are uninsured. Putting it another way, 15% of all Americans are uninsured and 30% of the poor are uninsured. One in three young adults have no insurance.
When you read this, the "Uninsured Week," emphasis will have passed. But the problem will not have been solved. There is no easy solution to this growing problem, but it is one which we as a nation must address.
In recent years, more and more of our income must be spent on rising costs of hospital insurance, doctors' bills and the cost for drug prescriptions. For millions of families this means that during periods of high unemployment less and less monies become available for health insurance.
Congress is currently addressing the problem of Medicare. Many organizations are working together to find a solution to this important question, including the following: United States Chamber of Commerce, American Medical Association, National Medical Association, Health Care Leadership Council, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, American Hospital Association and many others. These organizations are working together to find a solution to this important question.
As individuals what can we do?
1. Be cognizant of the problem and when possible become involved with an action group.
2. Contact your congressman and let him or her know how you feel about better health insurance for all Americans. The high percentage of uninsured persons is a national problem and must be solved nationally.
The first question asked by a person in the Bible was, "Am I my brother's keeper?" (Genesis 4:9) This is a question that rings down though the centuries, and is still a relevant question. We may not be our brother's keeper, but we are our brother's brother.
| Page 8 | T.O.C. | Index | Page 10 |
If you have any comments on any of these pages, please email me: Robert W.(Bob) Mckitrick, thanks.
Last update: June 3, 2004
