SINGLE PAYER SOLUTION

Since there was first word of a change in the Affordable Care Act, mandating the inclusions of contraceptives for all (except qualified religious institutions), there has been a cry from the Roman Catholic Church in America. They have been joined by others who have found that their avenues of social ministry (such as hospitals, universities etc.) do not fit the exceptions to the law. These organizations often employ people who do not belong to the faith of the denomination in charge. Not all doctors, nurses, or aids in a Catholic hospital are Catholics. Lutheran World Relief does not only employ Lutherans in caring out it's ministry to those in need. Leaders of the Catholic Church in America, along with some conservative Protestant and Jewish leaders, have spoken up against the Affordable Care Act as against their religious freedom. They have called for their congregation's members to speak up against infringement upon their First Amendment Rights. Taking a wider view of the situation, it seems to me that the problem is found in our EMPLOYER BASED system for health insurance. The religious institutions are feeling the pressure only because they are providing health care insurance to their workers. If health care was provided in a different way the religious community could be taken out of the equation. It would be well for those now decrying that their religious freedoms are under attack to support a single payer approach to health care. If all Americans were covered by one program,(as seniors are under Medicare )the religious community would be off the hook. Each American, religious or not, would be able to take advantage of the health care that their beliefs allow.