Watch
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An occasional newsletter for Assistant Committees on Publication in New York State
“It shall be the duty of the Committee on Publication to correct in a Christian manner
impositions on the public in regard to Christian Science,
injustices done Mrs. Eddy or members of this Church
by the daily press, by periodicals or circulated literature of any sort.”
(Article XXXIII, Section 2, of the Church Manual)
October 2011
Legislation
This past January began the New York two-year legislative session during which the Committee has been primarily focused on correcting impositions in regard to Health care reform and Christian Science nursing practice. To this end, the Committee office has been tracking legislation and meeting with Legislators on Bills that require amendment specific to these legislative priorities.
The following meetings were held:
- Codes Committee Counsel of Senator Saland’s Office to discuss sacred communication rights for Christian Science practitioners as mandatory reporters of child abuse.
- Communications Director of Senator Lanza’s Office to discuss an amendment that would strengthen the existing NY affirmative defense Law regarding litigation in the welfare of a child under the care of Christian Science practitioners.
- Legislative Director of Senator Addabbo’s Office to discuss inclusion of an affirmative defense provision for a child protection bill.
- Assembly Member Gottfried, Chair of the NYS Health Committee and sponsor of the NYS Health Plan to provide Universal Health Care for all NYS residents, to further define language for inclusion of a Christian Science spiritual choice.
The CS Committee Federal office continues to work with Congress to amend the law to include a Christian Science spiritual care choice for the public. A complete status report of the law and current provisions in law that provide for spiritual care coverage is located online at http://christianscience.com/media-inquiries/2010/06/christian-science-and-federal-health-care-reform/ or can be accessed through www.christianscience.com.
Current developments on Health Care Reform can also be found at on the Committee on Publication Federal office website in the “Health Care Reform” section. It reads in part:
“Under the 2010 health care law—the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA; see sidebar for details)— most Americans will be required to purchase health insurance by 2014, except, for example, those who are enrolled in Medicare Part A. For Christian Scientists and others who use spiritual care services, there is a looming inequity: the required health insurance will likely not include the type of services they use, nor does the law provide for a religious exemption that meets their needs.
To remedy this situation, the Federal Office is pursuing several approaches, including these:
- Requesting that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) include coverage of Christian Science practitioner and nursing services in the benefits that will be offered by health insurance companies under the new law. Given the intent of PPACA to provide coverage for all, it seems fair that the law meet the “essential” health needs of all individuals regardless of faith. This would be consistent with the long history of government accomodations for Christian Science health services in Medicare, Medicaid and other programs.
- Seeking a legislative solution with Congress that would allow anyone with a “sincerely held religious belief” against purchasing health insurance to be exempted from the mandate to have coverage. The current religious exemption in PPACA gives preference to a few select faiths—allowing the Amish, the Mennonites and Health Care Sharing Ministries to opt out— without respecting the rights of all faiths. We believe the rights of religious minorities should be respected when it comes to their health care decisions.
We’re grateful for the many members of Congress who have actively worked on behalf of Christian Scientists in both of these efforts, and we appreciate the continued engagement and support of Christian Scientists and their friends as we move forward. If you would like to be in touch with us about health care reform, please feel free to email us atfederal@christianscience.com, or find out more about what you can do to get involved.”
The URL address to the Federal Office website is:
http://members.christianscience.com/committee-on-publication/federal-legislative-affairs/
Media
Reporters we have met with
- Shannon Pettypiece, Healthcare Beat Reporter, Bloomberg Television
- Alana Elias Kornfeld, Senior Editor, Huffington Post Media Group, Huffington Post’
- Katie Hobson, Lead writer, “Health blog, Wall Street Journal
- Dr. Roshini Rajapaksa, Medical/Health reporter, Fox News Channel
- Amy Brightfield, Health Director, Woman’s Day
- Alison Rose Levy, Health Journalist, HealthJournalist.com
- Debra Gonsher Vinik, Ph.D., Producer, Director, Writer, Diva Communications
RCC Meetings
The Religion Communicators Council (RCC) is an interfaith association of religion communicators. We attended the following meetings:
- Sarah Masters, Managing Director of the Hartley Film Foundation
- Lauren Selman Roberts, Director of “Rainbow Town”
Blog
Below are recent posts for the Committee blog:
- August 10
“Worshipping Prozac” by Bob Clark, Committee on Publication for Florida
- August 11
“Health and Leisure” guest post by Bob Clark
Church Talks
The Committee office has given the following church talks:
- Fifth Church of Christ, Scientist, New York City and surrounding churches: July 17
- Christian Science Society, Delmar and surrounding churches: July 21
- First Church of Christ, Scientist, Williamsville and surrounding churches: July 26
- First Church of Christ, Scientist, Rochester and surrounding churches: August 2
- First Church of Christ, Scientist, Levittown and surrounding churches: August 11
- First Church of Christ, Scientist, White Plains-Scarsdale and surrounding churches: August 18
- First Church of Christ, Scientist, Syracuse and surrounding churches: August 30
The Office will be giving an upcoming church talk at First of Christ, Scientist, Jamestown on Thursday, October 20.
We are grateful for the opportunity to give these church talks and to meet with church members! We are also very grateful for church members who attend and all who keep a “Watch” for the Committee.
Thank you for your support
The Committee Office is grateful for the monthly pro-rata payments. Pro rata covers approximately 50% of our budget so member donations and church contributions are essential to our mission.
The New York Committee Office is appreciative to all Assistant Committees, church members, and to those who have been active in these initiatives, especially for all your prayers in this work together.
With Love,
Paul Hannesson
Committee on Publication for New York State