WASHINGTON, Oct. 12 /Christian Newswire/ -- Some of the nation's largest multiracial, multiethnic, and multigenerational faith- based and policy organizations, representing more than 30 million people, went on record to voice opposition to any healthcare bill that funds abortion, violates conscience, rations care, or limits freedom.
Representing the unified position of the organizations signing on to the statement of principles, Mathew Staver commented: "We believe social justice includes healthcare reform that lowers the cost, increases quality, and expands choice at the greatest convenience, without moving private health decisions from the doctor's office to Washington bureaucrats. Individual liberties trump government-imposed obligations. We believe that individuals, communities, and doctors in the free market make better health decisions than government mandates. We believe in incentives, not coercion."
Staver continued, "We oppose funding for abortion. Abortion is not healthcare. We support the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death. Life, no matter how young, is not expendable and, no matter how ill or aged, is not to be weighed on a cost-benefit scale. We support conscience laws protecting hospitals and healthcare providers from coerced participation in abortion. We oppose government policies pressuring people to forgo or limit treatment because of age or illness. We oppose rationed healthcare due to age, illness or based on a government agency's determination of 'quality' or 'value' of life. President Obama said, 'under our plan no federal dollars will be used to fund abortions, and federal conscience laws will remain in place.' But Congress has voted 30 times against amendments that would ban abortion funding. Every proposed bill funds abortion, including the so-called Baucus bill from the Senate Finance Committee. This is unacceptable. We will not support any bill that funds abortion."
Staver continued, "We support health insurance that is affordable and portable. We support legal reform to stop frivolous lawsuits that drive up healthcare costs, while affording the injured appropriate compensation. We support portability, allowing people to take their healthcare with them so it is not tied to employment. We support options to purchase health insurance across state lines. We support competition; coverage of pre-existing conditions; wellness care and prevention incentives; tax relief that provides a dollar- for-dollar deduction for every dollar spent on premiums or other medical or prescription costs; and a dollar-for-dollar tax deduction with no limit from gross income for every dollar contributed to nonprofit organizations providing healthcare for free or at reduced cost to the needy."
Staver concluded, "We support freedom and the dignity of the individual. We oppose federalization of the healthcare industry that would create a maze of bureaucracy which will impede and delay critical care and decrease the quality of healthcare. We oppose a single-payer, government-run insurance program or the so-called public option. It is time to start over with a truly nonpartisan approach to healthcare."
The following is a list of some of the organizations supporting these principles:
Rev. Samuel Rodriguez
President
National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference
Tim Clinton
President
American Association of Christian Counselors
Dr. Che Ahn
President
Harvest International Ministry
Bishop Harry Jackson
Chairman & Founder
High Impact Leadership Coalition
Lou Engle
Co-Founder
The Call to Action
Hon. Kenneth Blackwell
The Conservative Action Project
Tim Wildmon
President
American Family Association
Tim Phillips
President
Americans for Prosperity
Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson
Founder & President
Brotherhood Organization of a New Destiny (BOND) Action Inc.
Steve Strang
President & CEO
Charisma Magazine/Strang Communications
Steven Erterlt
Editor and CEO
Lifenews.com
Deacon Keith Fournier
Editor-in-Chief
Catholic Online
Mat Staver
Founder & Chairman
Liberty Counsel
Dean
Liberty University School of Law
Wendy Wright
President
Concerned Women for America
Julie Clinton
Founder & President
Extraordinary Women
Dr. Richard Land
President
The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission
Southern Baptist Convention
Tony Perkins
President
Family Research Council Action
Phyllis Schlafly
President
Eagle Forum
Dr. Cindy Jacobs
Co-Founder
Generals International
Ron Luce
President & Founder
Teen Mania
Gary Bauer
President
American Values
Deryl Edwards
President
Liberty Alliance Action
Johnnie Moore
Director of Spiritual Programs, Campus Pastor
Liberty University
Johnny Hunter
Director & Founder
Life Education and Resource Network (LEARN)
Rick Joyner
Founder
MorningStar Ministries
The Oak Initiative
Rev. Rob Schenck
President
National Clergy Council
David Barton
Founder and President
Wallbuilders
Rick Tyler
Founding Director
Renewing American Leadership
Tim Echols
Founder & President
TeenPact
Rev. Lou Sheldon
Founder & Chairman
Traditional Values Coalition
Andrea Lafferty
Executive Director
Traditional Values Coalition
Rick Scarborough
Founder & President
Vision America
Dick Bott
President & CEO
Bott Radio Network
Rich Bott
Exec. VP & COO
Bott Radio Network
