We've had a discussion here in Oregon about a sorry case in which a family of folks, who attend a faith-healing church, refused to take their ill 15-month-old daughter to get medical care. The little girl died. She had a "softball size cyst" on her neck, according to reports, and later developed a blood infection and phneumonia. The case went to trial and the father ended up getting 2 months in jail. That parent didn't believe in modern medical care and followed his beliefs to their logical conclusion: the death of his daughter.
Most Americans, in contrast, believe in modern medical care. We know how effective it can be. Given timely, appropriate medical attention, most of our health concerns can be easily handled. Yet, even though we know that it works, we neglect the health care needs of at least 47 million Americans who lack access to that care solely because of financial reasons. Unlike that faith-healing father, we do not act in accordance with our beliefs and, unfortunately, the results are similar: fellow citizens suffer, and sometimes die, needlessly.
From a moral point of view, isn't that faith-healing father superior to us? The results are similar, but at least he is acting with a clear, moral purpose. We claim to believe in medical care, but refuse to provide it. He goes to jail. We don't.
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