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Did You Know?

HEALTH CARE In no other industrialized country (than the USA) does about 22,000 people die each year from easily treatable diseases because they cannot afford to see a doctor.  (Resource: The Healing of America: A Global Quest for Better, Cheaper, and Fairer Health Care by T.R. Reid) In no other industrialized country (than the USA) do 700,000 people a year go bankrupt because of their medical bills.  (Resource: The Healing of America: A Global Quest for Better, Cheaper, and Fairer Health Care by T.R. Reid) The average cost of an average family health insurance policy offered by employers was $13,375 in 2009, up 5% from 2008.  Since 1999, health insurance premiums for families rose 131% - the general rate increased 28% over the same period.  (Resource: USA Today - November 15, 2009)   Private health insurance comes between you and your doctor.  Some insurers decide which doctors you can see, which hospitals you can visit, and what drugs you can take and still be covered.  (Resource: Consumer Reports magazine: August 2009) The real threat to your finances is the health system the USA has now.  A recent study concluded that today's $2.4 trillion annual health care tab would jump to $4.4 trillion by 2018 if nothing is done to rein in expenses.  (Resource: Consumer Reports magazine: August 2009) HUNGER The USDA reported that in 2008, about 49 million people had difficulty putting enough food on the table.  This is an increase of 4 million households over the previous year.  More than one in seven U.S. households are food insecure, and one in four children may not be getting enough food.  The USDA says the fundamental cause for food insecurity is poverty, made worse by the current recession and high unemployment. Nancy D. Arnison, director of the ELCA World Hunger Program said - We have a chance to demonstrate God's love for all of God's children through our work in food assistance and building strong communities where families can become self-sufficient. Gifts to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal may be contributed to congregations or sent to: ELCA World Hunger P.O. Box 71764 Chicago, Illinois 60694-1764 Credit card gifts can be made by phone at 1-800-638-3522 or on-line at http://www.elca.org/hunger This information was reprinted from an ELCA Press Release dated November 18, 2009

Last Updated ( Sunday, 01 August 2010 )

 

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