Your tax dollars could fund medical prayer

[Christa]

Cue Twilight zone music


Did you happen to catch today’s online issue of the LA Times? In it is an exposé, of sorts, on a little-known provision to the healthcare reform bill. This provision could potentially require insurers to cover the cost of “prayer therapy” by the religious group known as the Christian Scientists.

Although most Americans may have just heard about this today—thanks to the story in the LA Times—medical bloggers have been barking about this for a while now. And those bloggers make some excellent points. What happens when other churches want in on the action? What does this mean for the separation of church and state? And should your tax dollars really be used to fund “treatments” that have, in the past, been the focus of criminal prosecution when children died after being sent to prayer sessions instead of mainstream medical facilities?


http://www.lisabarger.com/health-news/your-tax-dollars-could-fund-medical-prayer.html

[ClarkUSA]

1. Let's see if all these GOP amendments make it out of conference before we hyperventilate...

It's a good idea to write to our reps and tell them we're opposed to this, though.

[joeycola]

3. Both Kennedy and Kerry supported this provision!! --home to the headquarters of the Church of Christ

http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-na-health-religion3-2009nov03,0,2239900.story?track=rss

Reporting from Washington - Backed by some of the most powerful members of the Senate, a little-noticed provision in the healthcare overhaul bill would require insurers to consider covering Christian Science prayer treatments as medical expenses.

The provision was inserted by Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah) with the support of Democratic Sens. John F. Kerry and the late Edward M. Kennedy, both of Massachusetts, home to the headquarters of the Church of Christ, Scientist...................

But critics say the measure could have a broader effect, conferring new status and medical legitimacy on practices that lie outside the realm of science.

Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, a group of atheists and agnostics that promotes separation of church and state, said the opportunity to receive payment for spiritual care could encourage other groups to seek similar status.:puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke:

[ClarkUSA]

4. It's time to call their offices and ask why, if that's still true. People do switch in conference.

[joeycola]

5. That is true but too late to call Kennedy. Still I think it is a bad

thing to do (supporting this provision).

[ClarkUSA]

6. I meant we call his successor. As I said, bait-and-switch happens all the time in conference. nt

[Clio the Leo]

2. Any minister who CHARGES someone to pray for them.....

... has bigger problems to worry about than anything the Federal government can do IMO.

But yes .... this is disturbing to say the least.

[phleshdef]

7. The provision only allows for faith based medical practices that the IRS deems legit.

Thats the part people are ignoring when they start talking about medical prayer.

[GreenPartyVoter]

8. Who unrecced this? People need to see this, it's important.