"Changes are needed," the Rev. Albert Hahn, pastor of the Smithtown United Methodist Church, said. "Health care costs need to be managed better, and a lot of Americans are in need of this kind of care and can't afford it."
Rabbi Anchelle Perl, the head of Congregation Beth Sholom Chabad in Mineola, was more cautious about the plan. "Health care reform needs to be done in a balanced way, along a middle ground, so you don't destroy the present infrastructure," he said. "This is a capitalist society."
Following Obama's two telephone conference calls Wednesdayto several religious groups to discuss his health care plan, local religious leaders offered their take on the health plan.
Bishop William Murphy, the head of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, could not be reached for comment. But in a letter he sent to all of Congress last month on behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Murphy said the bishops support "comprehensive health care reform that leads to health care for all, including the weakest and most vulnerable."
Murphy's letter also opposed not treating immigrants or using public funds for abortions. Murphy says abortion goes against church teachings.
Obama's preferences for a health care bill don't include public funding for abortions or health care for illegal immigrants.
Bishop Robert Harris of Grace Cathedral in Uniondale, who said he often is in contact with people with no health insurance, said he is "a little disappointed that the president is scaling back his original proposal." His reference was to the Obama administration signal recently that it may drop the controversial "public option" component from its proposed overhaul of the health care system.
"These are the conservatives who are against this, not the people who voted for Barack Obama," Harris said.
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