A Noncompulsory and Compassionate Solution to Healthcare in America

So let me open up and say, none of us can presume what Jesus would say about healthcare in America.  The closet I think we can come is not to step over a sick individual if you have the power and resource to help him or her.

President Obama signed into law The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (HR 3590) on March 23, 2010.  President Obama advanced this legislation to address the approximate 50.00 million persons residing in America who possessed no type of health insurance. After a challenge called National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius that brought the law to the Supreme Court in 2012, the august body of judges determined that HR 3590 was constitutionally to include the individual mandate and Medicaid Expansion (You can read a summary of the Supreme Court decision here). Healthcare exchanges such as the one in Arkansas go into effect October 1, 2013 with the individual mandate enforced on January 1, 2014. 

These are pretty much the facts.  

I can understand President Obama’s desire to address the problem of people not having health insurance. I want people to have sustainable housing, job opportunities, good education, and good access to healthcare too.  What I don’t agree with is the manner in which President Obama has gone about compelling almost everyone (yes there are folks who are exempt) to possess health insurance under the guise of compassion.  This is how I would summarize this entire issue; people in America are being legally compelled to act with compassion.

We live and move in a very hard reality in which compassion has the opportunity to be carried out in the lives of others. Compassion is a possibility in every human being because we are image bearers of God. Compassion exists because present in our human experiences testifies to the fact there are those who are able to give and those who are able to receive. We all have the opportunity to be compassionate. On the other hand, compulsion with the threat of penalty does not awaken or stimulate compassion in the heart of an individual, but it does awaken anger, judgment and division. Slowly, our country is restraining the opportunity to be truly compassionate with the shackles of law and the whip of oppression.

So what is a solution?

Let me preface my solution with some presuppositions. 

• I believe Christianity should offer solutions within the framework of the culture it exists in. We exist in a democratic republic.  
  

• I believe each state should determine how to best implement a health care opportunity based on the 10th Amendment of the United States.
  

• I believe a job combined with a good education is the best way to address poverty.
  

• Once again, I can’t assume what Jesus would say about this issue beyond what I have previously stated. 

• This solution offers the opportunity for compassion without compulsion.
  

• This solution offers every individual the opportunity to obtain healthcare insurance.
  

• This solution is noncompulsory. A person chooses in accordance to their life situation. 
  

• This solution is available to the states that can make adjustments in accordance to its citizens. For example, the ratio of  3:1 can be adjusted based on the state. 
  

The Government Healthcare Option (GHO) is designed to respond to those that believe government should provide services such as healthcare.  The individual can choose this annual and renewable option to purchase healthcare and support someone who is unable to participate in the other two alternatives.    

Now every solution has weaknesses and limitations.  So, I invite critique. Poke holes in it or offer an alternative that is noncompulsory and compassionate.