J. Herbert Nelson speaks on SCOTUS and Health Care

This morning, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in King v. Burwell. This case could take away access to health care for 8 million people and cause premiums to spike for millions more. A decision in favor of the petitioner, King, could eliminate tax credits to buy health coverage through the Affordable Care Act in approximately three dozen states. The resulting chaos would wreak havoc on the health care system, placing the most vulnerable people in our communities at risk.

The Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, PC(USA) Director for Public Witness, joined with several other faith leaders, patients, families, nurses, doctors, healthcare providers, and other allies to support health care subsides for millions of people in the U.S. and to affirm that health care is a human right, an essential component of human dignity and just community.

Nelson said, "We advocate so vigorously for affordable health care, because we know that sickness in public places is a barrier to building community."

To read the press statement about this morning's events, click here. 

Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson II in support of accessible healthcare for all, along with fellow heads of faith offices, Rabbi Lori Koffman (National Council of Jewish Women), Rev. Dr. Susan Henry-Crowe (United Method Church), Dr. Sayyid Syeed (Islamic Society of North America), Sandy Sorenson (United Church of Christ), and Sr. Simone Campbell (NETWORK).

J. Herbert Nelson's remarks, as prepared:

Benevolent, Beneficent, and Bountiful Creator, we humble ourselves before You as we ask that our prayers be heard and answered. We come before you as Ecumenical and Interfaith religious leaders appealing for guidance that only you can give. As we stand with millions of people today who could lose their health insurance by a ruling of this Supreme Court of our country, we petition You to exercise Your Supreme Authority that calls us here today to stand for the least of these among us.

We all can attest that in your mercy, you have reached down and provided a balm of healing amid our need. Therefore, our presence here today is a reminder to others that you are still in the business of hope and healing. Therefore, our advocacy for affordable healthcare is an affirmation of your Sovereign love for all of humanity.

We pray in the name of the Sovereign Creator, who chooses love over the law while giving grace in all things. Amen

Good morning. I am Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, Director of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Public Witness in Washington, DC. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General Assembly has supported legislative efforts for affordable healthcare in Washington, DC for more than sixty years. They approved a resolution for advocacy on behalf of the uninsured. Despite our historic advocacy for a single payer system, we were excited in 2010 when the United States Congress passed the Affordable Care Act. We felt a move one stop closer to our nation realizing that the scriptures that we follow calls each of us to care for the least of these among us.

We advocate so vigorously for affordable healthcare, because we know that sickness in public places is a barrier to building community. Jesus teaches us through many biblical encounters that healing provides stability to the body; wholeness to the mind; and sustenance to the Spirit. When people are walking around unstable; lacking mental clarity and Spiritually disconnected it impacts households, institutions and whole communities.

In my travels, I have heard the testimonies of self employed professionals who are thankful that their premiums are significantly lower, because their pre-existing conditions are no longer held against them. On the other hand, I have heard from the poor who work every day and could not previously afford insurance for themselves or their children, giving thanks for the opportunity to know that they did not have to go to work sick or send their children to school while self diagnosing their conditions, because they could now afford a doctor’s care. When sick people are all around us, who cannot afford a balm of healing, we all are impacted.

I know these judges are deliberating over interpretations of the law, but let’s cut to the chase. This is an issue of national security, because my faith tells me that righteousness exalts a nation (Proverbs 14:34a). This court has an opportunity to render a supreme judgment if they can recognize in their deliberations that highest law that they can render is one that is based in love.

Let affordable healthcare remain affordable for the estimated 8 million persons who stand to lose their insurance.

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Response to Criticism of J. Herbert Nelson's Hobby Lobby Statement

The PC(USA) Office of Public Witness (OPW) is encouraged by the diverse dialogue that is occurring in response to the Reverend J. Herbert Nelson’s statement with respect to the Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby ruling. The OPW gives thanks for the words of support as well as the expressions of disagreement.  It is through dialogue and engagement that we may begin to break down the walls of ideology and see Christ in and through each other.

Much of the criticism of Rev. Nelson’s statement has been to point out his lack of specificity as to the particular contraceptives challenged in the Hobby Lobby case. Access to reproductive health care is an essential human right affirmed by Presbyterian General Assemblies, many of which have reaffirmed the historic Presbyterian commitment to accessible, comprehensive health care that should be equal, accessible, affordable, and high quality for all persons. (214^th General Assembly, Minutes, 2002, p.634)

But more than a ruling related to available contraception, Rev. Nelson and the Office of Public Witness wished to express in his statement a concern about religious liberty. The Hobby Lobby decision establishes a precedent that sets the conscience of employers over and above the conscience of workers. Further, the decision grants first amendment liberties to for-profit corporations, which, no matter how closely they are held, are not people.  Allowing corporations, whose primary function is profit, the freedom to impose religious values on employees is fundamentally un-American and contrary to the values upon which this nation was founded.

As always, the Office of Public Witness represents the actions approved by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General Assembly and its predecessor bodies, which have affirmed that God Alone is Lord of Conscience and that individuals must make decisions in personal and public life that are consistent with their own values, without seeking to coerce others. National policy that allows employers and the owners of corporations to coerce employees with respect to their moral decisions undermines our churches and the nation.

The Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, is Director for Public Witness in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Public Witness in Washington, DC.

J. Herbert Nelson Reacts to the Hobby Lobby Decision

The Reverend J. Herbert Nelson this week expressed dismay at the Supreme Court’s (SCOTUS) decision in the case of Burwell v. Hobby Lobby. The Presbyterian Church spoke to the question of access to contraception when the 205^th General Assembly (1993) called on Congress to provide funding that ensures access to contraception, at no cost, to any person who needs it. In the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), we affirm that each person is created in God’s image, and that each woman is endowed with God-given moral capacity and authority to determine whether or not to become pregnant. Denying any woman the right to exercise that moral agency is wrong.  It is because of our faith that we view access to contraception, and all forms of health care, as a human right. 

Further, in today’s workplace, "the 220^th General Assembly (2012) encourages the church's support for policies that strengthen families, support children's development, provide comfort to the elderly, and help to insulate decisions about family formation and child-bearing from undue economic stress." (Minutes, p. 246,Recommendation 3.b., italics added).

Presbyterians further profess that God Alone is Lord of Conscience and that individuals must make decisions in personal and public life that are consistent with their own values, without seeking to coerce others. We believe that the establishment clause in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution seeks to protect religious institutions from government infringement, and we are grateful for this protection.  But Hobby Lobby is not a religious institution.  It is a closely held corporation whose overriding objective is profit, not religious expression or evangelism.

In response to the ruling, the Rev. J. Herbert Nelson, PC(USA) Director for Public Witness, said --

“We are very concerned by the corporatization of the federal government, and we question the Supreme Court’s extension of personhood and freedom of religion to for-profit corporations. This move to treat corporations as people is a troubling trend in U.S. public life. We need to remember that it is people, not things, who have moral agency.

When discussing religious liberty in this case, we must also remember that it is the religious liberty of the workers that is infringed by the employer’s ability to express a religious view through its corporate policies. Indeed, because we view access to health care as a human right, both workers’ religious liberty and their human rights are in jeopardy. At its most extreme manifestation, an employer imposing religious views on unwilling employees begins down the path to slavery. The employees of Hobby Lobby are not mere extensions of its owners, but are endowed with their own moral agency and should not be imposed upon by the beliefs of their employer.

“In light of yesterday’s SCOTUS decision in the Hobby Lobby case, I urge Congress to take steps to make contraception available to all women and men, whether through federal appropriations, a re-classification of contraception as a prescription drug, or through private insurance requirements, such as the special “accommodation” for religious institutions with genuine objections based on conviction. Indeed, however Congress accomplishes this remedy, it is essential that all women and men have access to comprehensive reproductive health care.

“And while Congress must act to remedy this grave injustice perpetrated by our Supreme Court, it is incumbent upon all of us to challenge the shift in our society that endows corporations with rights that ought to be reserved for people. We could do so much better, if only we would create the political will.

The Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, is the Director for Public Witness at the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Public Witness in Washington, DC. 

Faith Leaders Condemn SCOTUS Decision in Harris v.Quinn

Faith Leaders Condemn Supreme Court Decision: Ruling in Harris v. Quinn Will Hurt Caregivers and the People They Serve

**Partner Organizations and Quotes from Individual Faith Leaders Listed Below**

WASHINGTON, DC—In response to the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court today that weakens the collective bargaining power ultimately jeopardizes the ability of seniors and people with disabilities to get the reliable care they need to remain at home, the PICO National Network, Faith in Public Life, and nearly one dozen, non-partisan and multi-cultural faith-based organizations issued the following statement and words of support:

“Today, the Supreme Court issued a decision in Harris v. Quinn that undermines the labor rights of Illinois home care workers and puts at risk the quality of care for seniors and people with disabilities.  The 5-4 decision also compromises the future of critical services we all need while putting wages and benefits at risk for millions more.

“People, who bathe, feed and care for the sick and the elderly in our society, as well as those who protect and serve our communities such as firefighters, police officers, nurses and teachers, must themselves be treated with dignity and respect. That includes the ability to bargain collectively for fair wages, good benefits, safe workplaces and higher standards for the services our communities need.

“While we are deeply disappointed by the Supreme Court’s decision and its impact on home care workers, we are relieved that the Court reaffirmed the long-standing collective bargaining rights of public sector employees.  As people of faith we believe in the dignity of all work and the fundamental right of all workers to organize for better pay, benefits and working conditions.”

“Today, we stand up in solidarity with the millions of those working so hard to bring comfort to so many.  We reaffirm their sacred and constitutional right to join together to fight for better lives for themselves, their families and those for whom they care.”

PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS

Christian Community Development Association (CCDA), Faith in Public Life, Interfaith Worker Justice (IWJ), National Latino Evangelical Coalition (NaLEC), NETWORK, PICO National Network, Presbyterian Church USA, Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, Sojourners

QUOTES FROM FAITH LEADERS OF PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS

“Home health care aides provide one of the most important services in our society—caring for the elderly, disabled and infirm.  But it’s difficult to provide quality care to others when you’re worried about putting food on your own family’s table.  We must treat all workers fairly by paying them a living wage and allowing them to join together to improve their own working conditions. Our commitment to Biblical justice demands that we speak out on behalf of these workers. ”—Rev. Noel Castellanos, Chief Executive Officer, Christian Community Development Association (CCDA).

"The care and compassion that home healthcare providers give the sick and the elderly echoes the healing ministry of Jesus. These hardworking, underpaid workers deserve the dignity afforded by a voice in the work place, but the Supreme Court struck a blow to this principle today.”— Rev. Jennifer Butler, Chief Executive Office, Faith in Public Life (FPL).

“Homecare workers provide critical tasks for families and the society.  Like other workers, they deserve to have voice and representation in their jobs and advocates for improving wages and benefits.  The Supreme Court should help us move toward, instead of hindering, serving the common good.” — Kim Bobo, Executive Director, Interfaith Worker Justice (IWJ).

“In a democracy one of the greatest gifts is being able to stand up and have a voice in decisions that impact your life.  As an Evangelical I support the right of these hard-working women and men to have a say in their working conditions so they can build better lives for themselves and their families.”— Rev. Gabriel Salguero, President, National Latino Evangelical Coalition (NALEC).

“The practical impact of today’s decision will be to make it harder for everyday heroes to deliver quality public services to millions of Americans all across the country. This decision, however, does not stop the resolve of working people who come together to have their voices heard make real change in communities."— Rev. Michael-Ray Mathew, Director of Clergy Organizing, PICO.

“In the PC (USA), we have long supported the rights of workers to come together and collectively bargain for the good of all. Today’s Harris v. Quinn decision is a step backward for all workers, for as we rise together, so together do we fall. The services of home health care workers, who are disproportionately women and people of color, are essential for older adults and people with disabilities, as well as their families, who all depend on a caring, competent, and stable workforce that enables living at home and aging with dignity. That these workers would be denied the basic human right to organize for better lives, wages, and working conditions is a travesty and a shame on this nation.” — The Rev. J. Herbert Nelson, Director for Public Witness, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

“Today marks a major step backwards for racial and economic justice.  More than 9 out of 10 home care workers in the U.S. are women, and nearly half are women of color.  Racist politicians ensured that home care workers were excluded from New Deal labor protections in the 1930s, now the Supreme Court says they do not even have the right to come together to fight for a better deal.  This is a moral outrage. We will continue to support home care workers in the fight for their human dignity.”—Dr. Iva Carruthers, General Secretary, Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference

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PICO National Network is the largest grassroots, faith-based organizing network in the United States. PICO works with 1,000 religious congregations in more than 200 cities and towns through its 60 local and state federations. PICO and its federations are non-partisan and do not endorse or support candidates for office. PICO urges people of faith to consult their faith traditions for guidance on specific policies and legislation. Learn more at www.piconetwork.org