RSS
Home
US Conference of Catholic Bishops steps up campaign against current health care reform bills
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
USCCB advocacy ad on health care
As the vote on health care reform nears, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued materials to be used in every parish in the nation. The accompanying letter asks that the bulletin insert be distributed as soon as possible. Also included is an announcement on health care to be read at Mass as well as a petition for health care to be used during the Prayers of the Faithful. Finally, there is a digital file of the full color advertisement shown above. Make no mistake. The bishops want health care reform. However, the current plans expand federal funding of abortion, do not provide conscience protection, and do not adequately provide care for immigrants and the poor.
The bulletin insert offers a message for the House of Representatives:
“Please support the Stupak Amendment that addresses essential pro-life concerns on abortion funding and conscience rights in the health care reform bill. Help ensure that the Rule for the bill allows a vote on this amendment. If these serious concerns are not addressed, the final bill should be opposed.”
It also offers a message for the Senate:
“During floor debate on the health care reform bill, please support an amendment to incorporate longstanding policies against abortion funding and in favor of conscience rights. If these serious concerns are not addressed, the final bill should be opposed.”
The USCCB exhorts Catholics to contact Representatives and Senators via e-mail, phone, or FAX. The USCCB is providing a pre-written instant e-mail to send to members of Congress at www.usccb.org/action.
When the bulletin inserts are distributed, the USCCB asks that the following announcement be read:
Congress is preparing to debate health care reform legislation. The Catholic bishops of the United States strongly support genuine health care reform that protects the life and dignity of all, from the moment of conception until natural death. However, all current bills are seriously deficient on abortion and conscience rights, and do not yet provide adequate access to health care for immigrants and the poor.
In your pews/bulletins today, you’ll find a special flier/bulletin insert from the US Bishops Conference asking you to please contact your Representative and Senators immediately and urge them to fix these bills with pro-life amendments. The flier/bulletin insert includes a web address that allows you to send an email message to Congress with a click of a button. The bishops have asked for our swift action and the commitment of our prayers for this critical effort. Thank you for your help. We can help make sure that health care reform will be about saving lives, not destroying them.
The Catholic Church is on the front lines of providing care for the poor and the marginalized. The Catholic Church knows first hand about the need to reform American health care and has been advocating for reform for decades. For the bishops to come out so strongly against the current plans is evidence that these plans have serious moral deficiencies and are contrary to Catholic teaching.
For more info:
USCCB health care reform web site
USCCB bulletin insert on health care reform
USCCB pulpit announcements and prayer on health care reform
Related Articles:
Comments
- The Bible--Catholic edition
- Catechism of the Catholic Church
- United States Catholic Catechism for Adults
- Catholic Christianity by Peter Kreeft
- Keeping Kids Catholic by Bert Ghezzi
- Catholicism & Society - Marriage, Family, and Social Issues by Hayes, Hayes, Drummey
- Catholicism for Dummies by by John Trigilio and Kenneth Brighenti
- Grace Before Meals by Fr. Leo E. Patalinghug
- The How-to Book of the Mass by Michael Dubruiel
- The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis
- Because God is Real by Peter Kreeft
- Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton
- Ten Dates Every Catholic Should Know by Diane Moczar
