The Social Justice Committee has held several forums on health care to provide information to the community about the various alternatives to our current health care system.

On Sunday, April 29, 2018, the members of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Poughkeepsie voted in favor of the following resolution. The vote was 31 in favor, one opposed, one abstention.

We, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Poughkeepsie, endorse Universal, Comprehensive, Affordable, and Accessible Health Care coverage for every New Yorker to be codified in New York State Legislation.

As members of the national Unitarian Universalist Association, the UU   Fellowship of Poughkeepsie covenants to affirm and promote seven principles. Among them are: “the inherent worth and dignity of every person;” “justice, equity and compassion in human relations;” “the goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all;” and “respect for the interdependent web of existence of which we are all a part.” It is these principles that inform our decision to call upon the New York State Legislature to provide universal, comprehensive, affordable and accessible health care coverage for every New Yorker. 

We believe that health care is a basic human right. As stated in Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, drafted right here in Dutchess County: “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.” [Emphasis added.]

As a faith-based organization, we believe we have a moral duty to speak out on this issue. Another one of our principles concerns “the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large.” Utilizing the democratic process, we call upon the New York State Legislature to correct the grave inequities in our current health care “system,” and create one that serves every New Yorker, regardless of employment status, age, gender, income, country of origin, or any other characteristic. Though New Yorkers vary in many ways, none are exempt from needing medical care at some time in their lives. Each should be entitled to quality care.

This letter was sent to every state Senator and Assemblymember, to the candidates for New York State Governor, and to local newspapers.