UAn Urgent Call to Action

From left: Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., Director, Center on Aging and Older-Adult Ministries; Shirley Painter, Chair, COAM; Hazel Bennett, Secretary, COAM; Julius A. Archibald, Jr., Vice Chair, COAM

At the August 2003 meeting of the United Methodist Committee on Older-Adult Ministries, committee members adopted the following resolution:

Urgent Call to Action
The United Methodist Committee on Older-Adult Ministries is deeply concerned and troubled about the declining quality of life for older persons. We call to your attention the following issues that impact the spiritual and physical well-being of older persons in the United States and worldwide.

• Privatization of public services
• High cost of pharmaceuticals that fuel exorbitant profits for drug companies at the expense of adequate health care for older persons
• Tax cuts for the very wealthy, which have significantly reduced funds for health, education, and basic public services
• Undermining federal regulations protecting workers' rights and pension guarantees
• Vast increase in military spending that has reduced other public expenditures
• Diminishing the role, influence, and worldwide programs of the United Nations system while failing to cooperate in a world community
• Dismantling environmental treaties that have compromised human health, including older persons

We ask you to study, pray, reflect, have public dialogue, and take action to counter the negative effects of these public policies.

Signed: Shirley Painter, Chair
UM Committee on Older-Adult Ministries