Christian Science Caregivers

To better understand the church-state issues inherent in the Jan. 25 article, “U.S. Abandons Aid to Church Caregivers,” your readers need to have some background information including who the caregivers are.

The Christian Science nurse is trained in traditional nursing skills that are nonmedical in nature. It is they and the sanatoriums that employ them that receive Medicare and Medicaid payments specifically for practical care. Christian Science practitioners who give treatment through prayer are not reimbursed by government programs.

The ruling of the federal judge in Minnesota, Richard H. Kyle, did not find that the payment of Medicare and Medicaid funds for Christian Science nursing care is in and of itself unconstitutional. The judge acknowledged that accommodating the religious beliefs of Christian Scientists in Medicare and Medicaid programs was within the rights of Congress under the free exercise clause of the 1st Amendment. But the court ruled that the way Congress made the accommodation--by exempting only one religion by name--was unconstitutional.

ROBERT C. GILBERT

Christian Science Committee on

Publication for Southern California

Brea