In 2003, the ELCA Churchwide Assembly adopted the church's eighth social statement, Caring for Health: Our Shared Endeavor.  To learn more about the ways in which the ELCA does advocacy, and its relationship to the social statements of the church, explore "how and why the ELCA does advocacy" on this site.

• SCHIP Update
  After two presidential vetoes and months of debate, in late December Congress passed an SCHIP extension, just days before the program was scheduled to run out.
  JANUARY 8, 2008
  ELCA WASHINGTON OFFICE
   
• SCHIP Bill Vetoed
  In an expected move on Dec. 12, President Bush vetoed a bill reauthorizing the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), a successful and bipartisan program that has provided health coverage to children from low-wage, working families for ten years.
  DECEMBER 14, 2007
  ELCA WASHINGTON OFFICE
   
• SCHIP Update
  DECEMBER 14, 2007
  ELCA WASHINGTON OFFICE
   
• Health Care Issue Brief Available in "Called To Be a Public Church: 2008 ELCA Voting and Civic Participation Guide"
  NOVEMBER 6, 2007
  ELCA WASHINGTON OFFICE
   
• ELCA Presiding Bishop Writes in Support of Children's Health Care Program
  "Our Christian faith calls us to act for vulnerable people, especially children," Hanson wrote. "SCHIP is a straightforward and sensible way to provide coverage for millions of low-income children who lack health insurance."
  OCTOBER 16, 2007
  ELCA WASHINGTON OFFICE
   
• Key Facts:  Medicaid’s Role in Rural Areas of the U.S.
  MARCH 21, 2005
  ELCA WASHINGTON OFFICE
   
• Corporate Social Responsibility Issue Paper:
  Caring for Health: International Access to Pharmaceuticals
  NOVEMBER 2003
  CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY