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In the end, the issue of abortion did not derail health-care reform. But that’s what would have happened had the U.S. Catholic bishops and some hard-line antiabortion Protestant groups had their way.

United Methodists serving in the House of Representatives opposed the historic passage of the health-care reform package 26 to 18, with five Democrats joining 21 Repub licans in voting no.

Yet, in remarks just before the March 21 vote, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi cited the United Methodist Church as one of the many organizations “sending a clear message to members of Congress” asking them to vote yes.

Pelosi’s Web site also listed groups that backed reform, and it included the UMC’s Board of Church and Society, whose chief executive is James Winkler.

Whenever talk turns to how dreadful health care is in countries where the government has a large role in it, I think back to a summer spent in Scotland. Our young son began to suffer from what seemed to be a virulent new allergy, and after sleepless nights and several days of sneezing, we went to the local infirmary, part of the national health plan. The nurse on duty was cheerful, and she sized up the situation immediately. “You need a shot,” she pronounced. My son bravely rolled up his sleeve. “Oh, no,” she said.