Dr. Brent Morris
Dr. Danielle Mitchell
Dr. Thomas Rumph
A vigil for American health care occurred on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., on the Walnut Street Bridge.
"Candles were lit to honor the estimated one out of every 830 Tennesseans (of the 526,000 that lose health coverage) that will die as a result of the GOP's American Health Care Act," organizers said. "For many organizations of faith, serving our neighbors and helping those who are less fortunate is a critical mission. Many of us understand that 'the least of these' must have access to basic needs, such as health care. One way we can affirm that shared vision, as well as the inherent dignity of every individual, is by ensuring access to health care and preventive services that will enable more people to live longer and with better health. Through the health care law, millions of uninsured people have taken steps towards health and wholeness because they are now able to access affordable care."
Speakers included Dr. Danielle Mitchell, Dr. Thomas Rumph, and Dr. Brent Morris.
Dr. Mitchell said, “It is bitter to me and distressing that I have spent my entire adult life as a physician taking care of the healthcare needs of others, and yet in my time of need I will not be taken care of. My case is one of perhaps millions of people who are impacted by the potential repeal of the Affordable Care Act.”
Dr. Rumph said, “This bill is a giveaway to wealthy individuals and corporations. The legislation would provide nearly 600 billion in tax breaks to high-income earners and health insurers. The bill is an attack on the middle class and poor who work so hard every day to have a better life.”
Dr. Morris said, “The health of our nation, physical and mental, is the vital living human infrastructure of our society. That infrastructure is absolutely essential for everything else. It includes everyone from the infant to the elderly. It encompasses all parts of life: birth, childhood, adulthood, old age, and death. It is what and how we eat and drink. It is the air we breathe. Procreation, pain, suffering, joy, and fulfillment are all rooted in our health. The health of our nation is sacred and shared. The health of one literally affects the health of all. Wisely, health is enshrined in our Declaration of Independence: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It is life, that comes first as a necessary condition and the right to health care is the concrete embodiment of that right to life. There are those who are blind to the communal nature of health. They deny health care as a right, seeing it only as a privilege for the few with resources. A privilege restricted to those whom they consider innocent, powerful or wealthy enough to save from disease, suffering and death. We must fight for the right to our health care and our lives. All of us are innocent enough, powerful enough, rich, and deserving enough to have the same opportunities for healthcare. So, we join the struggle for our health with the United States Congress. It is the struggle for and of our lives and those we love. It is also the struggle for the survival and spirit of the United States. We will not lose because we cannot lose.”