Catholic Bishops: Fix the health care bill

Today the bishops sent a letter to House leaders, to express their "disappointment that progress has not been made on the three priority criteria for health care reform."

The letter:

On behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), we are writing to express our disappointment that progress has not been made on the three priority criteria for health care reform that we have conveyed previously to Congress. In fact, the Senate Finance Committee rejected a conscience rights amendment [!] accepted earlier by the House Energy and Commerce Committee [So...President Obama... how about that conscience clause you promised at Notre Dame? When is that going to happen?]. If final legislation does not meet our principles, we will have no choice but to oppose the bill. [Now that is some language with teeth in it!]We remain committed to working with the Administration,Congressional leadership, and our allies to produce final health reform legislation that will reflect our principles.

We continue to urge you to

1. Exclude mandated coverage for abortion, and incorporate longstanding policies against abortion funding and in favor of conscience rights. No one should be required to pay for or participate in abortion. It is essential that the legislation clearly apply to this new program longstanding and widely supported federal restrictions on abortion funding and mandates, and protections for rights of conscience. [In other words, 'We're not kidding, guys. We really, really mean it and we're not going away.'] No current bill meets this test.


2. Adopt measures that protect and improve people’s health care. Reform should make quality health care affordable and accessible to everyone, particularly those who are vulnerable and those who live at or near the poverty level. [I would imagine that the vulnerable include those with disabilities, the elderly, etc. - all those pesky people who need health care and shouldn't have their access limited.]

3. Include effective measures to safeguard the health of immigrants, their children and all of society. Ensure that legal immigrants and their family members have comprehensive, affordable, and timely access to health care coverage. Maintain an adequate safety net for those who remain uncovered. [Because immigrants are people, too.]

We sincerely hope that the legislation will not fall short of our criteria. However, we remain apprehensive when [1]amendments protecting freedom of conscience and [2] ensuring no taxpayer money for abortion are defeated in committee votes. If acceptable language in these areas cannot be found, we will have to oppose the health care bill vigorously. [Bravo! Not only are they announcing opposition, they are also doing it in very clear, very stronglanguage. I'm impressed. ] Catholic moral tradition teaches that health care is a basic human right, essential to protecting human life and dignity. Much-needed reform of our health care system must be pursued in ways that serve the life and dignity of all, never in ways that undermine or violate these fundamental values. We will work tirelessly to remedy these central problems and help pass real reform that clearly protects the life, dignity and health of all.

Sincerely,

Bishop William F. Murphy
Diocese of Rockville Centre
Chairman
Committee on Domestic Justice & Human Development

Cardinal Justin Rigali
Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Chairman
Committee on Pro-Life Activities

Bishop John Wester
Diocese of Salt Lake City
Chairman
Committee on Migration

Kudos to the bishops for standing up and making their voices heard.

Thanks to American Papist for the tip.