Devotional for the Third Sunday of Advent, Dec 13, 2020

By Yeo Jin Yun

284,440 people have died of COVID in the US at the time of writing. 2020 will forever be defined as the year of the Coronavirus pandemic. But, what we must recognize is that pre-2020, pre-COVID a deadly public threat was already at large: health care. 

Ironically, health care does not necessarily value or care for the health of the people. The health care system in the US has been tainted by power and money that for most, health care is actually depleted of health or of care. 

The United States’ unique health care system is based on the concept of Employer-Sponsored Insurance (ESI).  ESI is as it sounds; one’s insurance is determined by and sponsored by one’s place of employment.  And when insurance is tied to employment, what happens when one quits, is fired or the company goes under?  Over 15 million people lost their jobs this year, and consequently, millions became uninsured (this number doesn’t take into account those who were unemployed or the many people who work and are not provided with any health care benefits).  Those who don't have access to insurance via their employer can access private insurance but only if they can afford it.  Insurance is very costly. Too many people will make the decision to forego getting health insurance, risk their lives, and miss out on life-saving prescription medicines, treatments, and tests. 

Though the Affordable Care Act of 2010 provided many with access to health insurance there were still over 26 million who were uninsured in 2019.  This number is reflective of the harsh reality that millions still cannot afford health care, which should be a basic human right, in the US. 

This aspect of health insurance is only scratching the surface of the many layers of health care. Health care isn’t synonymous to health insurance.  There are folks who, if provided insurance, still wouldn’t be able to access health care for a multitude of reasons.  Can they get to and from the hospital or the doctor’s office?  Do they have access to quality foods that benefit their health, or do they live in a food desert?  Would having a treatment or surgery mean having to take days off of work, losing money, or even potentially losing one’s job? 

There’s no clear cut solution. Health care is a multilayered issue that demands a multilayered strategy beginning with raw and honest analysis and the dismantling of the unjust status quo that blocks people from care. 2020 has forcibly and rightfully demanded our attention to the preexisting conditions of injustices in our health care system.   

In this season of Advent, as we await the birth of our Savior Jesus and do the work of seeking justice, may we organize within our communities.  May we raise awareness and build collective people power to question the unjust policies and societal norms surrounding health care.  May we mobilize for compassionate and loving health care that is accessible, affordable, and quality for all.  May we testify to the light. 

Light, Love, and Hope,
Who moves in mysterious ways,
Who, for some reason, chooses to use me, to use us,
Move our hearts to cry with and stay by the side of those rejected and disregarded by society;
Embolden our steps towards justice, that we may courageously speak up and demand a new status quo;
Grant us the wisdom and grace to navigate the battles ahead.
Because Your heart breaks for the rejected, the disregarded, the uncared for - You were one of them.
Because Your kindom is radically welcoming, inclusive, and hospitable.
Because You are Light.  You are Love.  You are Hope.
Amen. 

You make our collective work possible by your witness for justice every day in your church, community, and Annual Conference. MFSA does not receive any financial support from the United Methodist Church's giving channels. 100% of our budget is funded through your membership dues and your generosity in giving.

Yeo Jin Yun is a 2019 Global Mission Fellow (GMF) US-2 commissioned by the General Board of Global Ministries. Serving the next two years in the position of the Development and Communications Coordinator, Yeo Jin works in collaboration with Executive Director Bridget Cabrera in supporting the works and goals of MFSA by increasing the quality of donor relationships and by strategically communicating with and engaging United Methodists of our ministries via social media and E-newsletters.