US Bishops Urge More Calls/Emails on Health Reform
March 15, 2010
USCCB 1-Page PDF Format: English Spanish
As long-time advocates of health
care reform, the U.S. Catholic bishops continue to make the moral case that
genuine health care reform must protect the life, dignity, consciences and health of all,
especially the poor and vulnerable. Health care reform should provide access to affordable
and quality health care for all, and not advance a pro-abortion agenda in our country.
Genuine health care reform is being blocked by those who insist on reversing widely
supported policies against federal funding of abortion and plans which include abortion,
not by those working simply to preserve these longstanding protections.
·
On November 7, the U.S.
House of Representatives passed major health care reform that reaffirms the essential,
longstanding and widely supported policy against using federal funds for elective
abortions and includes positive measures on affordability and immigrants.
·
On December 24, the U.S.
Senate rejected this policy and passed health care reform that requires federal funds
to help subsidize and promote health plans that cover elective abortions. All purchasers
of such plans will be required to pay for other people’s abortions through a separate
payment solely to pay for abortion. And the affordability credits for very low income
families purchasing private plans in a Health Insurance Exchange are inadequate and would
leave families financially vulnerable.
·
Outside the abortion
context, neither bill has adequate conscience protection for health care providers, plans
or employers.
·
Congressional leaders are
now trying to figure out how the rules of the House and Senate could allow the final
passage of a modified bill that would satisfy disagreements between House and Senate
versions.
ACTION: Contact your US House
Representative and Both US Senators today by e-mail or phone:
To send a pre-written, instant e-mail
to Congress, go to www.usccb.org/action.
·
Call the U.S. Capitol
switchboard at: 202-224-3121, or call your Members’ local offices.
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MESSAGE – HOUSE:
“I am pleased that
the House health care bill maintains the longstanding policy against federal funding of
abortion. On the other hand, the provisions on abortion funding in the current un-amended
Senate health care bill are seriously deficient and unacceptable. I urge you to work to
uphold essential provisions against abortion funding, to include full conscience
protection and to ensure that health care is accessible and affordable for all. I urge you
to oppose any bill unless and until these criteria are met.”
MESSAGE – SENATE:
“I am deeply
disappointed that the current un-amended Senate health care bill fails to maintain the
longstanding policy against federal funding of abortion and does not include adequate
protection for conscience. I urge you to support essential provisions against abortion
funding, similar to those in the House bill. Include full conscience protection and ensure
that health care is accessible and affordable for all. I urge you to oppose any bill
unless and until these criteria are met.”
WHEN: Votes in the House and Senate are expected at any time. Act
today!
(v) 617-367-6060
(f) 617-367-2767
(e) staff@macathconf.org
(w) http://www.macathconf.org
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