FCNL believes that health care is a right. We seek a world where all people have adequate resources to maintain their health, where health care is supported by the federal government, and where health outcomes are considered in all matters of public policy. As we advocate for a more just health policy, FCNL considers the following principles.
All people should have quality health care, no exceptions.
- Economic barriers should not reduce access to care.
- Immigration status should not be contingent upon health – and ability to receive care should not be contingent upon immigration status.
- Health care should include physical, vision, dental, and mental health as key components of coverage.
- All plans should have to comply with current law, eliminating options for junk plans that are short-term and/or have high deductibles.
Quality health care should be affordable.
- A person should not be denied treatment for their inability to pay.
- Emergencies should not bankrupt families.
- Medication must be reasonably priced.
- Health care costs should be transparent for the patient.
Health care systems should have robust support from the federal government.
- Our tax code must support a system that assures quality, accessible coverage for all.
- Policymakers should close loopholes that allow states to opt out of providing health coverage.
- Government decisions for our health care policies should be driven by values, not profit.
Additionally, as a multi-issue, faith-based organization, FCNL believes that all policies should be evaluated in a comprehensive way. Public health should be a factor when responding to other crises:
- The government should fund studies that assess and evaluate American quality of life using economic indicators, health indicators, and lifespan.
- The consequences of gun violence should be studied and addressed as a significant public health issue.
- Pollution and environmental degradation that cause health consequences which fall disproportionally on the poor and people of color require immediate action and remediation.
