It has been 12 months since health reform was signed into law by President Obama. Millions of us benefitted. Students can receive care under their parents’ insurance. People with chronic illnesses who before were denied coverage, can now obtain treatment under a private health insurance plan.

At the same time there are groups of people who want to destroy what took so much time and effort to attain.

The United States of America is a very generous country. We donate millions of dollars when tragedies like Hurricane Katrina, the earthquake in Haiti, and now the tsunami in Japan, occur. But when we need to care for our own, that’s another story.

It’s said that charity begins here in our own homes that we should care for our brothers and sisters here in America with the same fervor and generosity that we do with our brothers and sisters abroad. But it appears that we are suffering from a “tsunami” of resentment against each other when we say that we do not want to pay another dime to make sure that everyone in our country is covered.

Some groups of people say they support Christian values. Well, Christ told us to help those in need, to take care of the sick, feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked and welcome the stranger (the immigrant). How we treat one another is how we treat Christ. But we are doing the opposite, no? What’s wrong with us?

Let’s reflect! Let us not take part in this persecution against each other. Let’s care for one another with respect and compassion.

Luz Villafana was an eligibility officer for MediCal in San Diego County between 1989 y 2007. She is an organizer for the labor union SEIU.