An Idea Whose Time Has Come

I've always heard "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

But what happens when it is broke and no one seems able to fix it? Healthcare is definitely broken — it's a disaster. And the more people try to fix it the worse it gets. Everyone who reads this column is concerned about healthcare. If you pay insurance premiums, if you provide medical insurance for your employees, and if you are facing a medical issue even with insurance — you are concerned.

Maybe you have heard about FaithHealthNC. This idea was introduced to Lexington in 2012 and initially focused on the faith community. But as the healthcare crisis has continued to escalate and as the FaithHealthNC dream has continued to evolve, we are realizing that this is much greater than local churches. FaithHealthNC has the potential to impact the entire community; churches, businesses, government, education, and the healthcare providers. It is an idea whose time has come.

I'm convinced that FaithHealthNC is one of the best things that can happen in our churches. When you consider that Jesus spent at least a third of his ministry healing the sick, when you recognize that the ministry of healing should be a major focus of the church, and when you realize that almost every family in a given church is dealing with a health-related issue, FaithHealthNC makes perfect sense. Remember the story of the four friends who brought the paralyzed man to Jesus? When they couldn't get him through the front door, they cut a hole in the roof. Now that is FaithHealth in action.

But why should the business community be interested in FaithHealthNC? The number one reason is "wellness." The best way to deal with the healthcare crisis is to stay healthy. Do you realize that approximately 80% of illness is preventable? Eight of the nine leading causes of death are preventable illnesses. Ninety percent of healthcare costs are related to preventable illness and disease.

FaithHealthNC focuses on healthy lifestyles—making wise choices in diet and nutrition, exercising, avoiding harmful habits such as smoking. It also stresses the importance of timely health screenings. Keeping a check on blood pressure and cholesterol, having routine blood work, mammograms and colonoscopies may save your life. The first colonoscopy I had ten years ago saved mine. A smart business owner will want his or her employees to stay up to date with health exams and screenings.

A second reason is access. FaithHealthNC gives you access to relevant health information. Educational opportunities are provided through FaithHealthNC. Since our church has been a member of FaithHealthNC, we have been able to provide excellent educational resources to our members. Outstanding speakers have educated us on proper diet and nutrition, heart-related illnesses, caregiving skills, advance directives, neurological disorders, cancer, and other timely topics. FaithHealthNC will also give you an inside door into the healthcare system. Should someone need a specialist, or if you have an employee having issues accessing services, FaithHealthNC can facilitate the process.

Networking is another reason to be involved in FaithHealthNC. You will be connected with dozens of churches, businesses and healthcare services that enable you to provide the very best care and access to your employees. If you are dealing with a need that you cannot meet, chances are someone in the network can.

While this community has suffered through the worst economic crisis in modern times, we have not lost our care and compassion. The best reason to be involved in FaithHealthNC is simply because we care about one another. Just like those four guys in the Gospel story who found a way to get their friend the help he needed, FaithHealthNC is designed to help us help others because we care.

The Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce recognizes the great potential that this has for our community. On May 20, the Chamber will sponsor a forum during a luncheon at the YMCA to introduce FaithHealthNC to the business community. I will be there. I hope you will, too. It's an idea whose time has come.