A Response to Obamacare

On Thursday morning, the US supreme court upheld the controversial program for universal healthcare known as Obamacare. The president is no doubt, relieved by the court ruling since healthcare reform was one of his major campaign issues. I rarely involve myself in political discussions, but today I’d like to share a few observations.

The argument for Obamacare comes from those who believe that everyone should have health insurance, even those who don’t feel they need it. Obamacare would mandate health insurance for everyone – even those who don’t want it. There would be penalties for people who did not carry health insurance and it’s this part of the program that I disagree with most.

The first problem with Obamacare is one of priorities. I know they have good intentions, but supporters have prioritized health insurance over a freedom US citizens have always enjoyed—we have the right to purchase or refuse to purchase whatever we want, without government interference. Under Obamacare, the government would have the right to force us to buy something, whether we want it or not. Sacrificing constitutional liberties for the sake of federalized healthcare seems to be a poor trade-off.

I’m opposed to the idea that the people I elect as my representatives should have the power to tell me what is best for me. When the government is granted such power, a host of problems will result. Not the least of which is the question, “What will be the next thing that we’re required to buy?”

A federalized healthcare program will necessitate the creation of administrative and regulatory agencies. Government bureaucracies are neither responsive nor efficient and if Obamacare is allowed to do what Government programs do best – we can expect substandard healthcare at a very high cost.

People are worried about their health and I suppose they should be. But creating more government agencies isn’t the solution. Jesus modeled the solution for us.

Jesus didn’t expect Rome to solve the problems of human suffering and sickness. Wherever He went, He healed the sick and set the oppressed free, and taught His disciples to do the same. It’s actually the responsibility of His disciples (that’s us) to care for the poor, the sick, and the outcast.

If I’ve taught you anything, I hope I’ve demonstrated the fact that a simple, untrained person like myself can make an impact in the lives of people who struggle with health problems. Healing the sick is easy once you believe God will actually heal the people you pray with. I’m not particularly gifted. I’ve never taken formal training for ministry. I’m just an average disciple with an extraordinary God who is able to do more than I could ask or think. And so are you.

Programs like Obamacare are becoming more popular because the body of Christ has failed in its mission to relieve suffering and heal the sick. We are the solution to the healthcare problems of the world. If you don’t want to see this trend continue, perhaps you’ll consider becoming a part of the solution.