Emergency Prayer Vigil for Health Care

Friends,

Welcome to Baltimore and the UCC’s Thirty-first General Synod. May your time here be blessed.

As you know from the recent news headlines, this is a pivotal time for health care advocacy. The Senate is currently considering a piece of legislation that would make devastating cuts to the Medicaid program and by some estimates leave 22 million Americans without health care coverage.  It would be disastrous for our most vulnerable neighbors – seniors, children, people living with disabilities and working families.

Today Senate leaders announced they would postpone their vote on the health care bill until after the July 4th recess.  This places us in a unique and powerful moment – just as you and hundreds of faithful UCC advocates travel to Baltimore – we find that that our voices need be heard in our nation’s capital.

We have an opportunity to witness to our faith. Here are two ways you can help:

Take Action: Contact your senators and urge them to oppose the Better Care Reconciliation Act: http://p2a.co/QjZMeCW

Join us in DC: We invite you, if your schedule permits, to join UCC leaders for an interfaith vigil in support of a health care plan that protects our most vulnerable neighbors. We will gather on the East Lawn of the U.S. Capitol on Thursday morning from 9:00-11:00 AM. There is regional train service available through the MARC transit system for traveling between Baltimore and Washington, DC.

Please join us as you are able for this critical faith witness in support of health care for the most vulnerable. Thank you for taking action in whatever way you can. We are called for such a time as this!

John C. Dorhauer-General Minister and President
James Moos-Executive Minister-Wider Church Ministries
Traci Blackmon-Acting Executive Minister-Justice and Witness Ministries