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USCCB
Leaders from the D.C. based United States Conference of Catholic Bishops made public a letter written to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. In it, Bishop William Murphy, Chairman of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, Bishop John Wester, Chairman of the committee on Migration, and Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Chairman of the Committee on Pro-life Activities made an appeal for a bipartisan effort to enact genuine health care reform. Their criteria that characterizes genuine health care reform are that the legislation:
- Ensures access to quality, affordable, life-giving health care for all;
- Retains longstanding requirements that federal funds not be used for elective abortions or plans that include them, and effectively protects conscience rights; and,
- Protects the access to health care that immigrants currently have and removes current barriers to access.
Their final paragraph makes clear that the bishops will be actively engaged in the reform process:
We will continue to work vigorously to advance true health care reform that ensures affordability and access, keeps longstanding prohibitions on abortion funding, upholds conscience rights, and addresses the health needs of immigrants. Dialogue should continue and no legislation should be finalized until and unless these basic moral criteria are met. Without commenting on specific proposals that may be brought to the summit, we will work to ensure that legislation meets these criteria and will oppose legislation that does not meet them. We hope and pray that the Congress and the country will come together around genuine health care reform that protects the life, dignity, consciences and health of all.
Yesterday's health summit in Washington D.C. did little to move towards the goal of meaningful health care reform. It is significant that the bishops who for decades have lobbied for health care reform have now made it clear that no health care reform is preferable to legislation that violates these basic moral criteria.
Comments
Does this mean that if the Bishop's concerns are met, that you will be supporting Health Care Reform? I think that when push comes to shove, Pelosi will include the Stupak language in reconciliaton (where it has enough votes to pass in the Senate under these rules). Indeed, if she does not, it will not pass.
I give a pass to the bill on the migrant issue for now, even though I agree with the bishops on this. A promise to enact immigration reform makes no one illegal is a worthy substitute.
"Bihops offer support on key healthcare vote if pro-life conditions are met."
www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/bishops_offer_support_on_key_health_care_vote_if_pro-life_conditions_are_met/
The bishops offer clarifying statement
www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=5691
Before deciding on essential moral criteria, try being seriously ill in this country without health insurance. Don't split hairs over "abortion neutral", help the sick who are unimployed and without coverage.
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