Interfaith Prayer Luncheon discusses
‘moral vision’ for health care reform

As the new health care reform law is implemented, interfaith health advocates remain concerned about the need to achieve a moral vision for its implementation, not just a legislative compromise. To that end, the Interfaith Health & Hope Coalition will host a prayer luncheon for faith leaders and health ministers called “Achieving a Moral Vision for Health Care” on Thursday (June 10) from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial. The program is free, but reservations in advance are required. Call 866-501-3627 to register.

“While we are grateful to finally have health reform in our country, we remain concerned that the strife accompanying its passage reflected the lack of a moral consensus in our country regarding the moral obligation we have to ensure health, and health care, for all people. This is not merely a political argument,” said Rev. Dr. John Duckworth, president of the Interfaith Health & Hope Coalition. “We hope this prayer brunch will inspire and inform faith leaders and health ministers to work with their congregations to move beyond politics to achieve a moral vision for health care.”

Featured speakers include Rev. Linda Hanna Walling, founder and executive director of Faithful Reform in Health Care, based in Cleveland, Ohio, and Bishop Edgar L. Vann II, pastor of Second Ebenezer Church, Detroit, as well as educator, author and musician.

Rev. Walling’s work focuses on education, resource development, networking and messaging around shared faith values in order to build an active base of advocates who wish to include working for health care justice. She is the editor and co-author of "Seeking Justice in Health Care: A Guide for Advocates in Faith Communities," among other works.

Bishop Vann is a well-known religious leader in the Detroit area who has served as an advisor to federal, state and local elected officials, as well as business leaders. He has written, "Why Look Down and Die, When You Can Look Up and Live?" He is also a featured columnist on Faith and Policy for the Detroit News. He is founder and president of Vanguard Community Development Corporation.

The conference is co-sponsored by the Detroit Wayne County Health Authority and St. John Providence Health System.
 

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