Crossing the secular divide: government and faith-based organizations as partners in health.

Recent debate over the relationship between government and faith-based organizations has renewed interest in the opportunities and challenges that are associated with change in this area of health care policy. Experience exists already that faith-based organizations can provide effective health education and services in the community. Limited infrastructure and liability are among the important barriers to their expansion. Spurred by the demographics of an aging population and increasing health care costs, we argue the necessity of further partnering, within well-defined limits, to maximize the availability of health care education and services throughout this nation.