USCCB calls on Congress to consider moral criteria during debates on health care policy

As Congress prepares to discuss possible changes to the Affordable Care Act, the chairmen of four United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committees called on lawmakers to consider important moral criteria, especially pertaining to the most vulnerable, including the unborn and those experiencing deep poverty.  The bishops have consistently advocated for a health care system in which—as the late Cardinal Francis George used to say—everyone should be cared for and no one should be deliberately killed.
 
In a March 8 letter, the bishops urged Congress to respect life by preventing the use of Federal funds to facilitate abortion or purchase health care plans that provide abortion; to honor conscience rights; and to ensure access for all people to comprehensive, quality health care that is truly affordable. The bishops signing the letter included Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities, Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, chairman of the USCCB Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty, Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, Florida, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development and Bishop Joe S. Vásquez of Austin, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration.
 
The bishops called on Congress to ensure coverage for those who now rely upon the Affordable Care Act, and expressed concern about any structural changes to the social safety net that could impact access to health care for millions.  Noting that the Catholic Church “provides health care, purchases health care and helps to pick up the pieces for those who fall through the cracks of the health care system when it fails,” the bishops urged “a new spirit of cooperation for the sake of the common good” on this vital concern during the debates ahead.
 
The bishops also pointed out that the Church continues to reject the inclusion of abortion as part of a national health care benefit. No health care reform plan should compel anyone to pay for the destruction of human life, whether through government funding or mandatory coverage of abortion, they said.
 
They also urged Congress to honor conscience rights, which they pointed out are derived “from the dignity of the human person—it should not be limited to a particular procedure or religious group. Out of respect for this foundational principle, Congress should expressly provide conscience protections as part of any health care plan for those who participate in the delivery or coverage of health care services. Such protections should extend to all stakeholders, including insurers, purchasers, sponsors and providers and should cover any regulatory mandates.” 

The full letter is available at: www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/health-care/upload/Joint-Letter-to-Congress-ACA-Principles-03-07-2017.pdf.