US Bishops campaign for health care bill amendment

November 9, 9:47 AMOrange County Roman Catholic ExaminerRichard Sikorski

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United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Courtesy: USCCB

November 9, 2009-During Mass yesterday priests in So Cal dioceses read a bulletin from US bishops asking that their Catholic parishioners petition their Congressmen to remove abortion funding and add care for immigrants and the poor to health care bills currently in committee.

According to official US Bishop Conference statement: "genuine health care reform should protect the life and dignity of all people from the moment of conception until natural death. None of the bills retains long standing current policies against abortion funding or abortion coverage mandates, and none fully protects conscience rights in health care."

"If acceptable language in these areas cannot be found," the Bishops continue, "we will have to oppose the (current) health care bill vigorously."

All Catholics are directed to take immediate action and approach their Senate and House representatives to support amendment by email, phone calls and fax letters.

For help with contact information and exact wording for amendments, Catholic parishioners can go to www.usccb.org/action.  There are different message texts specially prepared for the House and Senate. (Telephone number for the U.S. Capitol switchboard is 202-224-3121. Respective representative and senator information can also be found at their websites: www.house.gov and www.senate.gov. )

For the text of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops letter go to:
www.usccb.org/healthcare.