To the editor:

The two spiritual leaders of the largest private faith-based social service organizations in Minnesota gave the legislature a message last week. They do not have the resources, financial or personnel, to fully deal with the issue of domestic poverty in Minnesota.
And they never will.

Bishop Rogness and Archbishop Flynn issued a joint communiquÈ in which they made it clear that issues of affordable housing, healthcare and early education are beyond their scope and need to be addressed by legislative leadership.

And if the trend continues away from addressing these fundamental needs of the poor, Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services and most faith-based organizations dealing with domestic poverty could become overwhelmed.

The number one cause of Chapter 11 bankruptcy by individuals in the United States is not over-extended credit, mortgage payments or student loans. It is caused by unpaid medical expenses due to lack of health insurance coverage.

In this paper, writers have suggested that the crisis in healthcare isnít really a problem. Anyone can go to an emergency room and get treated for an illness.

Now we have proof that this hardship runs much deeper. This statistic bears out the fact that a parent, without health insurance, will do whatever they can to save their child; even if it means even filing Chapter 11.

Are these the choices a right and just society based on Christian principles should be forcing itsÇ citizens to make? I donÇt think so.

Wade Vitalis
Shafer

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