Kansas City, MO – Several area religious groups are joining in on the health care debate, calling efforts to fix the nation's health care system a moral imperative.
Some 175 people from about two dozen churches met up at Immanuel Luther Church last night for a health care rally.
Reverend Stevie Wakes of Olivet Institutional Baptist Church told the crowd ignoring the needs of those who are sick and lack access to health care is a crime.
"Who are the people who see men, women, and boys and girls suffering - and even dying - and will pass them by?" he asked. "Who are the people who are passionate and not too busy to go to real people, who are working to relieve their pains? I say, we represent the latter."
Wakes and others then urged attending representatives from Congressman Moore and McCaskill's office to back legislation that includes provisions for affordable and accessible health care for children, the poor, and the elderly.
The local event was part of a national faith-based campaign in support of a health care overhaul.
Meanwhile, the latest Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll shows public backing of an overhaul is at a slim majority: 53 percent. That's down from 61 percent in June.
Kansas City Bishops also recently issued a separate pastoral letter on health care, which cautions against expanded government involvement in health care.
Funding for health care coverage on KCUR has been provided by the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City.
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