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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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Healthcare Bill Boosts Pay for Prayer

Insurance firms urged to cover praying healers

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(Newser) – A little-noticed provision in a Senate version of the pending health care bill would require insurance companies to consider paying for prayer as a medical expense. The addition was inserted by Utah Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch and backed by Democrats John Kerry and Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts, the home state of the Christian Science church. Officials of the church say their prayer treatments are an effective option to conventional health care. But critics charge the provision would be an unconstitutional merger of church and state.

"When Congress mandates that health companies provide coverage for prayer, it has the effect of the government advancing religion," says a University of California law prof. A pediatrician at the University of Wisconsin criticized the plan as supporting payments for "unproven" treatments. Christian Science is not specifically named in the bill, though the church is a primary organizer of prayer healing services, reports the Los Angeles Times.

Senate Finance Committee member Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah. stifles a yawn on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009, during the committee's markup on health care legislation.
Senate Finance Committee member Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah. stifles a yawn on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009, during the committee's markup on health care legislation.   (AP Photo/Harry Hamburg)
The Senate Finance Committee's ranking Republican Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, left, talks with Sen. Orrin Hatch, R- Utah on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009, prior to the start of the committee's hearing on health care reform legislation.
The Senate Finance Committee's ranking Republican Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, left, talks with Sen. Orrin Hatch, R- Utah on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009, prior to the start...   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
FILE - In this July 13, 2009 file photo, Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, a former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington during the committee's confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor.
FILE - In this July 13, 2009 file photo, Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, a former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington during the committee's confirmation hearing...   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, right, questions Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday July 15, 2009, during her confirmation hearing before the committee. Committee member, Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, a former chairman of the committee, listens at left.
Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, right, questions Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday July 15, 2009, during...   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
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25 comments
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cochiserocks
Nov 3, 09 3:48 AM CST
On the one hand, I suppose there's a lot to be said for placebos - What you believe will help you, often becomes an enabler for you to help yourself on a level doctors are still trying to fathom - but on another level, I thought the concept of paying for prayers went out the window with the reformation. I personally believe we're all one energy experiencing itself subjectively so what ever you pray to, the point is your intention, not the wording or the target audience. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
IN RESPONSE:
jamerican
Nov 3, 09 7:21 AM CST
We need prayer in the healthcare bill since it also includes murdering innocent children so maybe prayer can be a way to remind God that some of us in this country are civilized so he delays punishing this nation for our stupid arrogant ignorant immorality.
Vote up! Vote down!
-12
IN RESPONSE:
Doctor_Zaius
Nov 3, 09 7:58 AM CST
Wow, do you object to your insurance premiums going to "Murder innocent children"? Because it's the same thing, you just don't care about that part of it.
Vote up! Vote down!
+6
IN RESPONSE:
atomick
Nov 3, 09 8:25 AM CST
Jamerican, do you have any idea how many innocent children die every year because their ignorant parents think praying for them to live is more effective than taking them to the doctor? The term 'Christian Science church' is an oxymoron of the most frightening kind
Vote up! Vote down!
+6
IN RESPONSE:
Corona_Kinq
Nov 3, 09 9:11 AM CST
Uh, isn't God the biggest abortionist of all time? He creates miscarriages right?
Vote up! Vote down!
+4

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