Pay to Pray

Healthcare provision seeks to embrace prayer treatments!

A little-noticed measure would put Christian Science healing sessions on the same footing as clinical medicine. Critics say it violates the separation of church and state. I think it's about as scientific as the wishing well at the mall.

According to the LA Times, While not mentioning a specific church by name, it would prohibit discrimination against "religious and spiritual healthcare."

It would have a minor effect on the overall cost of the bill -- Christian Science is a small church, and the prayer treatments can cost as little as $20 a day. (How does prayer cost ANYTHING?) But it has nevertheless stirred an intense controversy over the constitutional separation of church and state, and the possibility that other churches might seek reimbursements for so-called spiritual healing.

Forget the separation argument for a second - how is this even being taken for more than a joke level? Christian Scientists are notorious for killing -er- letting their children die from bacterial infections, rather then taking them to the hospital. Sure, this will save money in the long run, but if you want to talk about DEATH PANELS - this is surely a good place to start that discussion.

Phil Davis, a senior Christian Science Church official, said prayer treatment was an effective alternative to conventional healthcare. Yeah, it's an alternative all right.

"We are making the case for this, believing there is a connection between healthcare and spirituality," said Davis, who distributed 11,000 letters last week to Senate officials urging support for the measure.

"We think this is an important aspect of the solution, when you are talking about not only keeping the cost down, but finding effective healthcare," he said.

The provision would apply only to insurance policies offered on a proposed exchange where consumers could shop for plans that meet standards set by the government.

Look, the power of prayer and positive thinking are great in combination with radiation and surgery to remove that brain tumor... FINE, you want to pray yourself to the morgue, knock your socks off. Don't ask me to PAY for you to Pray.