Over 150 faith and community leaders gathered on December 7th at a “Rally for the People” organized by Nevadans for the Common Good (NCG) at St. James the Apostle Catholic Church on the Historic Westside of Las Vegas. The rally was a response to the costly and harmful federal government shutdown recognizing that though the shutdown has ended, suffering for Nevadans has not.
Over the past year, NCG has organized healthcare seminars and heard over 700 stories from residents struggling to find affordable and accessible healthcare. Many rely on other safety net measures for food and basic necessities when a health crisis leads to loss of work. The sudden loss of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) in November of this year demonstrated the devastating effects when a critical piece of the social safety net was suddenly removed.
On December 7th, faith leaders emphasized that in this moment of polarization and partisan division, NCG stands united in our traditions of faith and democratic practice across political parties in support of healthcare for all.
“Through our Jewish lens the principle of Pikuach Nefesh means saving a life,”
said Rabbi Jessica Hutchings from Congregation Ner Tamid in Henderson.
“It overrides almost every other commandment. It teaches that protecting a person's health and dignity is not charity. It is obligation. It is the most sacred work that we do.”
Throughout the rally, members of the community shared stories of their own fight for healthcare, loved ones who have suffered, and the impact of the rising cost of health insurance in the coming year as a result of cuts to federal tax credits. Nevadans for the Common Good is calling upon federal elected officials to listen to the stories and experiences of real Nevadans in their policymaking.
Noting the significant role of Catholic institutions in providing healthcare, Bishop Gregory Gordon, Auxiliary Bishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Las Vegas said,
“Social service programs and caring for those most in need in our society is not something that Catholic or charitable organizations can do alone. We need policies which ensure that low-income and vulnerable people can afford health care coverage and have the support that they need.”
Echoing the calls of many throughout the rally he continued, “Together let us stand ready to work on efforts to create policies directed at improving health and to create policies directed for all to flourish.”
The rally concluded with a Call to Action looking forward to the new year which includes potential cuts to healthcare and SNAP, and midterm elections in November. Leaders with NCG say they will be working at the local, state, and federal levels to push for affordable and accessible healthcare and urge elected officials to work with them.
Rev. Timote Piukala, District Superintendent with the Desert Southwest Conference of the United Methodist Church shared a statement from Bishop Carlo Rapanut saying, “When policies fail to uphold human dignity, the church is called upon to speak with a prophetic voice.” Affirming this call to action, the crowd called for “Real People; Real Voices.”
As Nevada faces the challenges of the coming year – cuts to essential programs, rising healthcare costs, and critical elections – the message of this gathering was clear: NCG will continue to bring real people and real voices directly to the decision-making table.
[Photo credit: the Archdiocese of Las Vegas]
Local Religious Groups Gather to Protest Rising Healthcare Costs, NPR Nevada Public Radio
'Rally for the People': Historic Westside, ABC15 [video]
Las Vegas Community Rallies for Improved Healthcare Access, KLAS
Interfaith Leaders Unite in Las Vegas Urging Congressional Action on Healthcare Access, 3News