Faith Leaders Encourage Obama to Use Full Influence to Pass Health Reform

Twenty-two prominent religious leaders, including nine members of the White House Council for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, wrote to President Obama on the day of his first State of the Union address to encourage him to exercise his full influence to urge Congress to pass comprehensive health reform legislation, imploring him "to make it plain to all Americans that the decisions of Congress have moral consequences."

Despite the recent political twists and turns, the reality for families suffering needlessly has not changed -- and the faith community's commitment to reform remains steadfast. Check out the letter here. Also, fifty-six religious organizations signed onto a letter this week by Faithful Reform in Health Care, calling on Congress and President Obama to "...not delay health care justice any longer. This is your moment for political courage, vision, leadership and faith." The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops also sent a letter to Congress, urging passage of reform that makes "affordable, quality, life-giving care is available to all."

At this moment of uncertainty, these moral appeals are a poignant reminder of the importance of delivering for Americans excluded by an unjust system.