New York, January 25, 2010 -- Over the past year, millions of Americans have joined together in witness to the desperate need of children and families for affordable health care.  After decades of work, and a historic grassroots effort this year, advocates for national health care reform have come further than ever before toward enduring and meaningful change.

Congress, which had reached the final stages of passing health care reform legislation, is now at a standstill as the Senate leadership lost the 60th vote it needed.  In this partisan climate people of faith and others of goodwill join together to remind Congress of the moral imperative of insuring that none of our brothers or sisters are left sick or dying due to insufficient access to quality, affordable to health care.

It is our hope that members of Congress and the media alike will refocus on the importance and urgency of achieving comprehensive reform this year.

As Christians we believe in a kingdom of God, in which we each will live in fellowship and solidarity with others, and embody the healing ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ.  We know that God will someday deliver us to this kingdom, and in gratitude for that promised act we work to embody its likeness in this moment.  Passage of  meaningful health care reform would be one such a testament done in faith and love.

In this spirit, the National Council of Churches joins other faith organizations and allied partners in asking all to call their U.S. House representative and senators and urge them to act with courage and mercy by enacting health care legislation now.  Remind them that families are still struggling to access and afford health care.  As people of faith and their constituents, we still need and expect reform. 

Starting Monday, January 25, raise your voice along with hundreds for thousands of people for health care reform by calling your congressional representatives. 

Members of Congress can be reached toll-free at 866-699-9243, courtesy of the SEIU Faith Initiative, or via the United States Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121.

NCC News contact:  Philip E. Jenks, 212-870-2228 (office), 646-853-4212 (cell) , pjenks@ncccusa.org