Where the Parties Stand
Democratic Party Platform
- “Democrats believe health care is a human right. We will incentivize states to expand Medicaid and enroll low-income people who do not otherwise have health insurance in a new, high-quality public option without premiums.” (Page 24)
- “Democrats will launch a sustained, government-wide effort, with leadership at the highest levels, to eliminate racial, ethnic, gender, and geographic gaps in insurance rates, access to quality care, and health outcomes.” (Page 31)
- “We will expand access to health care for people living and working across the United States by extending Affordable Care Act coverage to Dreamers….” (Page 31)
- “We believe unequivocally, like the majority of Americans, that every woman should be able to access high-quality reproductive health care services, including safe and legal abortion.” (Page 32)
- “We will fight to ensure workers are guaranteed at least 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave for all workers and family units…” (Page 16)
- Democrats believe that "private insurers need real competition to ensure they have incentive to provide affordable, quality coverage to every American… we will give all Americans the choice to select a high-quality, affordable public option through the Affordable Care Act marketplace.” (Page 28)
- “We will substantially increase funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and for state and local public health departments…” (Page 10)
- “We will ensure no one is incarcerated solely for drug use…” (Page 30)
Republican Party Platform
- “[For Medicare] … we propose these reforms: Impose no changes for persons 55 or older. Give others the option of traditional Medicare or transition to a premium-support model designed to strengthen patient choice, promote cost-saving competition among providers, and better guard against the fraud and abuse that now diverts billions of dollars every year away from patient care. Guarantee to every enrollee an income-adjusted contribution toward a plan of their choice, with catastrophic protection. Without disadvantaging present retirees or those nearing retirement, set a more realistic age for eligibility in light of today’s longer life span.” (Page 24)
- “[For Medicaid] we applaud the Republican governors and state legislators who have undertaken the hard work of modernizing Medicaid. We will give them a free hand … by block-granting the program without strings. (Page 24)
- “America’s healthcare professionals should not be forced to choose between following their faith and practicing their profession.” (Page 37)
- “We support the ability of all organizations to provide, purchase, or enroll in healthcare coverage consistent with their religious, moral, or ethical convictions with-out discrimination or penalty.” (Page 37)
What the Bible Says
The Bible admonishes us to consider the plight of the poor. We cannot ignore them and their needs. Proverbs 28:27 says, “Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.”
The poor deserve our consideration and compassion. James 2:15-16 says, “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?”
On the other hand, we are admonished against laziness and neglect and should be concerned about a welfare system that often enables bad habits that lead to poverty. Proverbs 6:6 says, “Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.” We should also be concerned about a welfare system that rewards idleness and poor work habits. In the New Testament, Paul issued this command in 1 Thessalonians 3:10, “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.”
Paul also provides instruction to take care of extended family “But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God” (1 Timothy 5:4). He goes on to warn those who do not provide for their families, “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Timothy 5:8).
