Health care access educators
The following people are willing to visit your congregation to help you better understand the current United States health care debate. While we can’t endorse any of these speakers, we looked for these qualifications:
- well-informed on health care system and related Issues
- in agreement with Mennonite Church USA resolution and MCC’s work
- able to take on complex questions
- an educator/ communicator
- able to handle conflict and attacks
- experience with advocacy
- aware of resources
You should make direct contacts with the speakers and your own financial arrangements. If you need help with travel expenses, contact SusanML@mennoniteUSA.org.
Timothy Stoltzfus Jost
jostt@wlu.edu
Harrisonburg, Va.
willing to travel within 2 hours of Harrisonburg, Va, possibly further.
willing to talk about health care reform in any setting
no honorarium or travel money necessary.
Qualifications, see http://law.wlu.edu/faculty/profiledetail.asp?id=24
Michael J. Smith, CRNA
crna_mike@hotmail.com
Gibson City IL
willing to travel 2-4 hours
Honorarium needs: negotiable
Qualifications: I am a health care provider (Nurse Anesthetist) and consumer. I am self-employed, so know some of the difficulties of trying to get individual coverage. In addition, I have two adult children (one handicapped) who have no health insurance.
Type of presentation (sermon, talk, SS presentation, etc): negotiable. My work schedule has some flexibility, but also limits my time.
Robert Walden
rwaldenpa@entermail.net
Bethlehem, PA
No explicit limit on travel distance, if a request fits my schedule, but would appreciate reimbursement for travel expenses if it's not a local event.
Honorarium is generally not necessary.
Qualifications: a Corinthian Plan "Ambassador" for several Eastern District churches; familiar with basic issues
sermons, Sunday school classes (including letter-writing sessions), informal conversation with small groups
Joseph J. Kotva Jr.
kotva@verizon.net or jkotva@ambs.edu
Elkhart, IN
I have driven as far as 600 miles to do a couple of such presentations. The topic is so important that distance is not an issue.
If outside the Elkhart/Goshen area, mileage would be helpful. Beyond that, whatever the congregation typically offers guest speakers is fine.
Ph.D in Theology and Ethics. Have been writing and teaching medical ethics, including access questions, for 15 years. Currently finishing the 3rd edition of On Moral Medicine, the definitive anthology of Christian theological reflections on medical ethics. Also edited the study Healing Healthcare: An Anabaptist Study and Action Guide on Healthcare Access (Faith & Life Press). Was the director of ACHE (Anabaptist Center for Healthcare Ethics) for over three years, spent much of that time doing advocacy work on healthcare access. I can send a full CV upon request.
Works best if less formal setting than a sermon – e.g., Sunday school class or evening study. Most often will do ½ the time as a PowerPoint presentation and ½ the time in group conversation. Can be fairly flexible on the type of presentation.