[Washington, DC] Americans of many faiths gathered in Freedom Plaza yesterday evening to unite in support of a health care future that is grounded in the sacred bonds of our common humanity, defined by compassion, especially for those who are most vulnerable, and reflective of faithful stewardship of our abundant health care resources. The event was sponsored by Believe Together: Health Care for All, a coalition of more than 40 national faith organizations and religious denominations united around the urgent need for health care for all, encouraging our nation's leaders to pass comprehensive and compassionate health care reform legislation this year.

"The health care system in the United States is in crisis," declared Shelley Lindauer, Executive Director of Women for Reform Judaism. "With well over 46 million uninsured Americans and more who are underinsured, as well as the almost exponentially rising health care costs, the need for comprehensive healthcare reform to cover all Americans is urgent. We are calling on Congress to address this need now."

Even the warm summer sun couldn't deter the faithful, who prayed, danced, sang and voiced their support for health care reform in the face of an unsustainable future and a present in which millions are left on their own for medical care. Faith leaders representing nearly every major faith tradition - including Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus - offered prayers for Congress to have the vision and courage to pass comprehensive health care reform this year.

Special guests from the Administration and Congress attended the event to voice their support, including Joshua DuBois, Special Assistant to the President and Executive Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships; Neera Tanden, Senior Adviser, Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Health Reform; Sen. James Clyburn (D-SC); and Rep. Tom Perriello (D-VA-5). All spoke to the urgency of the health care crisis in America and noted their dedication to ushering in a new age of health care reform.

"Millions of Americans with chronic or advanced illness do not receive the quality of care and life that they deserve," stated Rev. Dr. Walter J. Smith, President and CEO of HealthCare Chaplaincy. "We call for national health care reform to create a new strategy that delivers this quality, is sustainable, and helps reduce costs."

The Believe Together: Health Care for All coalition grew out of an April, 2009 meeting between faith leaders and President Barack Obama. Yesterday's interfaith service of witness and prayer for health care for all was the largest faith-inspired rally for reform ever. Similar "echo events" occurred across the country all week.

To see a live Twitter feed of the event, please visit www.twitter.com/believetogether. For more information about Believe Together: Health Care for All, visit www.WeBelieveTogether.com.

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