3/18/2010 Bishops repeat their hopes for health care reform legislation
The U.S. Catholic bishops this week again made the moral case that genuine health care reform must protect the life, dignity, consciences and health of all, especially the poor and vulnerable
The bishops added their collective voice as Democratic leaders corral votes in the House for this week’s decision on health-care reform. President Obama visited Ohio on Monday to reassure seniors about the proposal.
The bishops say health care reform should provide access to affordable and quality health care for all, and not advance a pro-abortion agenda in our country.
They said genuine health care reform is being blocked by those who insist on reversing widely supported policies against federal funding of abortion and plans, which include abortion, not by those working simply to preserve these longstanding protections. The Catholic Health Association says the health care reform bill as written would not use federal money to cover abortion.
The House-passed health care reform reaffirms the longstanding and widely supported policy against using federal funds for elective abortions and includes positive measures on affordability and immigrants.
But the Senate rejected this policy and passed health care reform that requires federal funds to help subsidize and promote health plans that cover elective abortions. All purchasers of such plans would be required to pay for other people’s abortions through a separate payment solely to pay for abortion. And the affordability credits for very low income families purchasing private plans are inadequate, the bishop say.
Neither bill has adequate conscience protection for health care providers, plans or employers, the bishops add. Congressional leaders are trying to figure out how the rules of Congress could allow the final passage of a modified bill that would satisfy disagreements between House and Senate versions. The bishops are urging the faithful to contact Congress by e-mail, phone or FAX to ask them to stop abortion funding in legislation that may go to President Obama for approval.
