INTERFAITH GROUPS PRESS FOR NATIONAL HEALTH CARE.(Religion) - Albany Times Union (Albany, NY)

Byline: Associated Press

In the fall of 1989 a mixed group of religious leaders got together at the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta, distressed about the cost and shortcomings of U.S. medical care.

They have met four times at various locations since then, reflecting a concern that has led some denominations to call for a national health care system.

That appeal sounded most recently in Norfolk, Va., at the general synod of the 1.6 million-member United Church of Christ, which said last week it will make universal health care a priority for the next six years.

Similar calls came from the 3 million-member Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Central Conference of American Rabbis, which serves 1.5 million Reform Jews and declared that the nation faces a growing crisis in health care.

Judaism and Christianity, prompted by biblical injunctions to care for the sick, the injured and weak, always have demonstrated concern for medical services, running hospitals and clinics at home and abroad.

But church leaders have been dismayed by rising health care costs, and the clergy itself has faced frightening increases, says J.T. Simmons of Jackson, Miss., chair of the Presbyterian board's health care committee.

United Methodist Robert W. Stevens, head of a denomination task force on the problem, said the costs are 'eating us alive.' And 14 denominations are studying the feasibility of a joint medical plan.

The Rev. Patrick Conover, a United Church representative in Washington, said about 10 denominations and four ecumenical groups worked out a common set of principles, and are launching a national religious health advocacy campaign.

Conover, elected co-chairman of an interreligious steering committee, representing the mainly black Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, added:

'The problem is getting vastly worse. Access to care is declining and costs are skyrocketing. Solutions attempted in the '70s and '80s are just not adequate.'

Among the principles agreed to in the interreligious talks and likely to be echoed at various denominational conventions:

*Access to quality health care for everyone in the United States.

*Comprehensive coverage, including long-term care.

*Progressive financing based on ability to pay, through a special tax program involving personal and corporate income.

*Cost containment through simplified administrative procedures.