Universal health care needs spiritual component

My View
Ken Girard

January 09, 2009 05:50 am

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Can you imagine a world where health care is truly universal?

For 2 1/2 years, Massachusetts has been working to insure every resident in the state. In our current economic climate, the complexities of mandated health insurance coupled with finding the resources to implement health care reform in practical and lasting ways are without a doubt extremely challenging.

As the discussion moves to the national stage, several models - including one by President-elect Barack Obama - are being proposed. But perhaps we first need to take a step back and ask ourselves, both for our state and for the nation, what does universal health care mean? Does it imply that we should only have one universal approach to maintaining our health and well-being? Is traditional medicine the only path to health and healing?

Many would say "yes." However, some may disagree after having relied on other methods to maintain and restore their health - non-medical systems rooted deeply in other cultures as well as other systems founded here in our own country, including prayer-based healing.

For the past 18 years, I have practiced such a system of health care - one that sprang from the soil of our own New England culture: Christian Science. It is a system of spiritually-based health care that is studied and practiced by people of all backgrounds.

With all of the medical advancements today, why would I choose Christian Science spiritual-based care?

Because it works.

By using ideas that founder Mary Baker Eddy wrote about in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," I have seen practical results in my own life, ranging from fast and complete recoveries from serious bicycle accidents to no longer needing to wear eyeglasses to correct my vision. There is no doctrine in Christian Science that would have prevented me or anyone from going to a doctor. I didn't simply because I have seen how effective it is in meeting my health needs.

Christian Science spiritually-based care is patient-centered, patient-directed, is cost-effective, and is available to everyone, not just Christian Scientists. Christian Science treatment has resulted in thousands and thousands of healings around the world over the past century.

One could ask: How can any health system be truly universal without spiritual care? Opting out of the current system is not the whole answer.

Truly universal health care in Massachusetts must include spiritual care in its plan.

Kenneth Girard heads the Christian Science Committee on Publication for Massachusetts, based in Boston.