(Submitted by Witness Life Commission and, with amendment, adopted by
delegates attending the 2002 Annual Meeting of the Maine Conference, United Church of Christ, Sugarloaf, ME, September 28, 2002)

Whereas the first acts of Jesus' ministry were acts of healing; and

Whereas Jesus said "I was sick and you took care of me... Just as you did
it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me." [Matt: 25: 36, 40]; and

Whereas the General Synod of the United Church of Christ has expressed
support for accessible health care for everyone (GS 18); and

Whereas such health care is not currently available nationally; and

Whereas some 40 million people in the country are without health care
insurance and tens of thousands more are underinsured; and

Whereas more than 160,000 Mainers lack health care insurance; and

Whereas hospital emergency departments are used late in the course of a
disease, are expensive and do not have continuity of care;

Therefore, be it resolved that the Maine Conference, UCC, in keeping with
the spirit of Jesus Christ, recognizes that all citizens of Maine have the right to
equitable and accessible health care; and

Be it further resolved that the Maine Conference calls on its constituent
bodies, including Coordinating Council, Witness Life Commission, Associations and Christian outreach committees of churches to actively work for accessible health care for everyone in the State of Maine; and

Be it further resolved that the pastors in their sermons and prayers are
encouraged to lead their flocks pro-actively to show their concern about their uninsured brothers and sisters in the state; and

Be it further resolved that all members of the Maine Conference of the
United Church of Christ join with health care professionals to work for the right of all
persons to have accessible health care.