We received tremendous response yesterday to our blog on spirituality and health care. Over 50 comments, and counting. Today, a response to all that response.
First, a beautiful piece written a person posting as “Diana Ekman”, portions of which I quote here…

What ethics should motivate our thinking around health care? Many countries have adopted an ethic that states that health care is a RIGHT of every resident, or citizen (depending where you live.) Many countries have adopted an ethic that states that their health care systems will work actively to prevent disease, and to promote healthier lifestyles. In such systems, it is certainly true that there are often long waits for treatments that are needed after diseases occur, but overall, which system is more ethical: one that tries to bring the most services overall to the most people, or one that can treat serious conditions right away, but where expenses are so unevenly distributed that many people cannot afford primary care?
Is health care a right? What does God will in this question? Can a government be counted on to provide appropriate services in an appropriate length of time, without the countering effects of a free-market system? And, overall, how well do you other classmates here think the US system is working? Does it currently reflect the values you hold about the worth of each soul?

I should like now to respond to some of these wonderful questions. Diana’s questions are in italics, my responses in bold.
What ethics should motivate our thinking around health care?
The New Spirituality ethic of Oneness. This teaching tell us that We Are All One. That is the ethic which should motivate our thinking around health care — and around everything.
Which system is more ethical: one that tries to bring the most services overall to the most people, or one that can treat serious conditions right away, but where expenses are so unevenly distributed that many people cannot afford primary care?
It should not be a case of “either/or”. It should be a case of “both/and.” If we can send a man to the moon, we can create a system that can do both. All it takes is the Will to do so.
Is health care a right?
Yes. It is a basic human right of all people everywhere, like food, clothing, and shelter. It is a basic right of a species that claims it wishes all of its members to live in dignity and peace, safety and comfort.
What does God will in this question?
God’s Will is our will. God wills for us what we will for ourselves. God is not some being separate from us, “willing” something that He cannot make us do, but wishes that He could. God is the Life that is flowing through us. We are God, physicalized. We are the physical manifestation of the Divine. And because we are Divine, we can create life any way that we want it on this earth. We have the collective power to do so. We can solve any problem that we face — including the problem of health care. It is simply a matter of Will.
Can a government be counted on to provide appropriate services in an appropriate length of time, without the countering effects of a free-market system?
Yes. The two are compatible is a society of highly evolved sentient beings. The society on earth may not be that. But, hopefully, we are getting there.
Overall, how well do you think the US system is working?
Not well. Not very well at all. Millions are without health care in what is purported to be the richest nation on earth. This is because the people here do not share the social value of caring for each other. The prime value in this country is “each man for himself.” Or what Republicans like to call “personal responsibility.” Yet ‘personal responsibility’ assumes that every person has an equal ability to demonstrate that. This assumption is false. The test of a nation is what it does for the least of its members. That is the true test of compassion — and of how highly evolved a society is.
Does the U.S. health care system currently reflect the values you hold about the worth of each soul?
No. Barack Obama’s would bring us much closer to that. That is one of many reasons that I am voting for Barack Obama.
Another fascinating comment was posted by “Arthur”…

I wonder if we could really show the world that, with a war of providing the healing arts to the world and what would be the pay off?
How would that fit into New Spirituality?

It would fit into it wonderfully, Arthur. I am not sure I like the word ‘war’, but I understand your meaning. How about a worldwide “campaign” to bring health care to everyone? Yes! We have the ability to do that! And the pay off? The love of all of humanity.
I loved the comment and the insight from “Shasta”…

Penalizing providers for not reaching these “benchmark numbers” with patients is bad medicine and it is the patients who will suffer. I would like to see Obama take a firm stand on regulating the pharmaceutical industry as well as the insurance industry.

You’ve made me think, Shasta. Your example of the overuse of statins, for instance, to lower cholesterol is understood, and the point taken. Yet there must be some way to meld “good medicine” with some kind of patient outcomes, rather than simply procedures performed, don’t you think?
And wow, the comments from a person posting as “speaks from the heart” really hit home. I agree with so much of it. Whew! Yet I think we must make an effort. I think we cannot simply “let it go” because there’s “nothing we can do.” I think improvements can be made in our health care delivery system, and I think that Barack Obama is the only candidate who understands how best to make those improvements.
The person posting as “SheerLuckHolmes” nailed it, I thought, with this…

I liked what Diana Ekman had to say, “Changes to health delivery are possible, and can be made in a relatively short period of time, if the will of the nation is behind it.”
That national will can only come from the majority of individuals growing more fully into operating from a view point that we are all one. As we treat each and every other soul as we would treat ourselves, there will be wondrous improvements. This is happening now and the growth is exhilarating to participate in.

Yes, the idea that “we are all one” is absolutely the answer. And that four-word message is the entire basis of The New Spirituality.
And I agree wholeheartedly with this, posted by “StormyMusic”…

People tend to throw around Socialism as if it is some bad word, but I hardly see it that way. I see it as a way of recognizing oneness and treating humanity with equality. I tend to think that European nations that make sure that all of their people have health care, housing, a proper education, etc are at least using some very basic preinciples of Socialism. Frankly, I applaud them for having that level of concern and compassion for fellow human beings.
IMO, our leaders (Obama included) have a lot to learn from the nations that are already providing Universal Health care. Obama is closest to “getting it.” I would still take a baby step forward under Obama’s plan rather than a fall on the tush backward with McCain’s proposals.

I’m with you. Let’s take that step with Obama, now.
Janel says this…

Canadians have universal health care and if you ask them about it–they think it’s a sad thing that we have to pay for our health care. They can’t imagine that, just like I can’t imagine being able to go to the doctor and not have to worry about how much it will cost.

Boy, do I agree with you, my friend. I so much agree with you. Universal health care is the answer. Obama’s plan is a huge step in the right direction.
And finally today, this from Michael…a condensation of a much larger post…

…something doesn’t FEEL right to me about your political postings regarding Obama (it has nothing to do with being Democrat or Republican) and I feel like I’m having difficulty expressing in few words why; perhaps you can help?

I will try, Michael, next week, when we return for two more days of “political” blogs!
hugs and love to all of you….ndw