10.28.09 With the U.S. Senate poised to begin debate on health care reform legislation, and the U.S. House set to unveil its revised health plan, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is encouraging Catholics to oppose abortion funding and mandates. The USCCB website has an action alert link to the National Committee for a Human Life Amendment website which states, “During House floor debate on a health care reform bill, Rep. Bart Stupak is prepared to offer an amendment that addresses essential pro-life concerns on abortion funding and conscience rights. Please oppose any Rule that will not allow a vote on the Stupak Amendment.”
The action alert goes on to urge Catholics to oppose any bill that permits abortion funding or mandates.
“If the serious pro-life concerns on abortion funding and conscience rights are not addressed, the final bill should be opposed. Genuine health care reform should protect the life and dignity of all people from the moment of conception until natural death.”
A nationwide survey commissioned by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and released last month found widespread public opposition to including abortion in health care reform and majority support for conscience rights protection. 67 percent of the of the total sample opposed requiring people to pay for abortion coverage through their taxes and 56 percent opposed making them do so through their insurance premiums.
On October 8, the bishops chairing the USCCB committees on Domestic Justice and Human Development, Pro-Life Activities, and Migration wrote to Congress that the bishops would have no choice but to oppose a final health care bill that fails to address key concerns and noted:
• Policies against abortion funding and in support of conscience rights must be in the bill.
• Health care should be affordable and available to the poor and vulnerable.
• The needs of legal immigrants and their families should be met.
The U.S. bishops have offered broad principals for Catholics in evaluating proposed legislation. These include:
• a truly universal health policy with respect for human life and dignity
• access for all with a special concern for the poor and inclusion of legal immigrants
• pursuing the common good and preserving pluralism including freedom of conscience and variety of options
• restraining costs and applying them equitably across the spectrum of payers
Catholics in South Jersey can contact legislators by clicking here.
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