GOP Offers 'Condensed' Health Bill

The battle has raged on for months but seems like it has been going on for years. And in some ways it has. It is the highly controversial and comprehensive revision of the health care system in America. The fight has been vicious because the outcome promises to be so very vital.

Obviously, even the very best system of care can be approved upon. But many oppose this major program that is a major part of the President’s campaign promise of 'Change you can believe in'. They believe that the new plan will corrupt the world’s best overall health care. Further, they cite that it will place massive financial demands on an already fragile economy while reducing personal freedoms.

Part of the debate has been over the mountain of paperwork that makes up the Democratic plan. The legislation consists of approximately 2,000 pages of heavy legislative language. That alone leaves many skeptical, or seriously scared, since few can read it all and most could not understand it even if they could.

In reaction, the GOP has released a much more compact version that pares the opposition’s guidelines to ‘only’ some 230 pages – an approximate 90% reduction. The Republican plan focuses more on incentives, medical savings accounts, lessening jury and malpractice awards, and other similar things that tend to run insurance premiums through the roof. The plan differs, too, in that it would not require all employers to offer insurance and make all persons and families to buy some sort of protection even if it be against their will. And unlike the Democrat’s bill, the Republican plan would also stop funding on most forms of abortion.

Once again American’s citizens have been plunged into a massive cloud of bureaucratic confusion perpetrated by those who are elected serve them. They are being asked to accept a life-altering law that even those with legal backgrounds admit not having fully read or adequately grasped. And the people are being asked to trust the government to control the most personal and crucial aspect of their daily lives even while that same entity is near legendaryfor its absurd levels of inefficiency and endless red tape.

In short, the U.S. government has grown too big, too powerful, too aggressive, and too complicated to effectively satisfy and serve those it was designed to protect. Foe instance, just take a peek at the current IRS code. Bottom Line: Citizens are being forced to sort out, and side with those who claim to be most truthful, caring, and competent - a Herculean task to say the least!

On this hot topic, one prominent leader has taken a different tact. He contends that the so-called ‘health care crisis’ is more a ‘health crisis'. It does seem to make perfect sense that a serious decline in health care costs would results if the American people ate better, slet more, exercised some, and resisted physically negative and morally detrimental types of behavior. An improvement in the nation’s physical and moral behavior may just be the single best, and cheapest, way to improve overall health standards and also stabilize current health care costs. Sadly, that solution is viewed as too simplistic and seems just too logical for most bureaucrats to grasp. Besides, most politicians are too scared for their jobs to ever point fingers at the voters who elected them – even if those things be true and right.

As confusing and overwhelming as the current health care legislation is, thankfully the one thing of infinitely greater value that has been made crystal clear. Religious systems over the centuries, even some under the banner of Christianity, have made salvation and the forgiveness of sin far more complicated than the actual requirement of the Creator God.

In 2 Corinthians 11:2-4 the Apostle Paul made reference to allowing man’s conditions for redemption to alter or exceed those of God’s. In verse 3 he wrote, “But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” Salvation is amazing and miraculous. But has been also made quite simple.

Ironically, the ultimate example of this very truth was seen at Christ’s crucifixion. One of the thieves being executed at His side recognized the Savior’s deity and ability. At one point he uttered these word in the midst of his great agony, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." (Luke 23:42) The Lord’s simple response to this sincere request is seen in the very next verse. “And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." A wicked and guilty man’s external redemption could not have come more simply or dramatically. And the same blessed method still holds true some 21 centuries later!

The details and facts of the current health care maze has exceeded the average man’s grasp. Even those in the ‘know’ really don’t 'know' what the extent or the ultimate impact on the nation will be. But God’s spiritual health care plan is, and has always been, both clear and comprehensive. The premium was paid in full on the cross at a price far beyond what money can ever buy. (1 Peter 1:18, Isaiah 55:1)

God’s forgiveness policy is available, free of charge, to any and all who choose to accept it in simple saving faith. There must be only a full understanding and a serious and correct answer to the question asked 2,000 years ago by a desperate man in a dingy prison cell. His plea from the heart was this. "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:29) The immediate answer was every bit as short and profound. “So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." (Acts 16:31)

When this powerful response becomes one's personal reality it will always bring the greatest possible 'Change you can believe in'. That divive alteration is spelled out in 2 Corinthians 5:17)
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

How do we know that change is really true and lasting? First, because it happened to me. Then too, scores of others, who have believed in the simplicity of the Gospel of Christ, have likewise experienced the supernatual results and eternal promises of His great salvation plan.

Bill Breckenridge