The Good Samaritan: health policy lessons

Did you know the Good Samaritan parable was recorded by Luke, the beloved physician?

Sometimes, we close our Bibles, walk out of church, and forget what we heard.

Of course, leaving wisdom behind is never a good idea. For health policy students, that's especially true of the story of the Good Samaritan.

It's a treasure trove of insights - even principles - for health policy.

Luke Chapter 10

25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?

37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

Food for Thought

The human need for care exists through all times and places. It's a universal constant - we have to deal with it.

1. When Jesus speaks of responsibility to care, is he referring to government, or to individuals?
2. What is the role of law in this story?
3. What is the role of religious institutions?
4. Does anything here command a centralized system of care?
5. Does this passage name an incentive to care?
6. Where does the motive to care originate?