Bishops Deeply Disappointed By Senate Vote To Table Nelson-Hatch-Casey Amendment
12/09/2009 12:36 PM Filed in: Health Care
WASHINGTON—“The
Senate vote to table the Nelson-Hatch-Casey amendment
is a grave mistake and a serious blow to genuine
health care reform,” said Cardinal Francis
George, President of the United States Conference of
Catholic Bishops. “The Senate is ignoring the
promise made by President Obama and the will of the
American people in failing to incorporate
longstanding prohibitions on federal funding for
abortion and plans that include abortion.”
Bishop William Murphy, Chair of the bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, said: “Congress needs to retain existing abortion funding restrictions and safeguard conscience protections because the nation urgently needs health care reform that protects the life, dignity, conscience and health of all. We will continue to work with Senators, Representatives and the Administration to achieve reform which meets these criteria. We hope the Senate will address the legislation’s fundamental flaw on abortion and remedy its serious problems related to conscience rights, affordability and treatment of immigrants.”
Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Chair of the bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, said: “Congress needs to separate facts and truth from political rhetoric on abortion funding. Even our opponents claim they do not support federal funding for elective abortions and they want current restrictions to apply. The way to settle this often misleading debate is simply, clearly and explicitly to apply Hyde restrictions to all the federal funds in the legislation. That is what the House did and what the final bill must do. The Senate should not approve this bill in its current form.”
Bishop John Wester, Chair of the bishops’ Committee on Migration, pointed out: “For many years the bishops have strongly supported accessible and affordable health care for all. Health care must protect, not threaten, human life and dignity; respect, not violate, consciences of providers, taxpayers, and others. We believe universal coverage should be truly universal, not deny health care to those in need because of where they come from or when they arrive here. The Senate proposal falls short in these areas. Immigrants deserve access to health care for their benefit and the common good of all of society. We urge Senators to resist amendments that would leave immigrants and their families behind as the nation reforms health care. We urge Senators to support amendments that improve health-care access for immigrants and their families and to oppose efforts that deny them access.”
Cardinal George concluded: “While we deplore the Senate’s refusal to adopt the Nelson-Hatch-Casey amendment, we remain hopeful that the protections overwhelmingly passed by the House will be incorporated into needed reform legislation. Failure to exclude abortion funding will turn allies into adversaries and require us and others to oppose this bill because it abandons both principle and precedent.”
Bishop William Murphy, Chair of the bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, said: “Congress needs to retain existing abortion funding restrictions and safeguard conscience protections because the nation urgently needs health care reform that protects the life, dignity, conscience and health of all. We will continue to work with Senators, Representatives and the Administration to achieve reform which meets these criteria. We hope the Senate will address the legislation’s fundamental flaw on abortion and remedy its serious problems related to conscience rights, affordability and treatment of immigrants.”
Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Chair of the bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, said: “Congress needs to separate facts and truth from political rhetoric on abortion funding. Even our opponents claim they do not support federal funding for elective abortions and they want current restrictions to apply. The way to settle this often misleading debate is simply, clearly and explicitly to apply Hyde restrictions to all the federal funds in the legislation. That is what the House did and what the final bill must do. The Senate should not approve this bill in its current form.”
Bishop John Wester, Chair of the bishops’ Committee on Migration, pointed out: “For many years the bishops have strongly supported accessible and affordable health care for all. Health care must protect, not threaten, human life and dignity; respect, not violate, consciences of providers, taxpayers, and others. We believe universal coverage should be truly universal, not deny health care to those in need because of where they come from or when they arrive here. The Senate proposal falls short in these areas. Immigrants deserve access to health care for their benefit and the common good of all of society. We urge Senators to resist amendments that would leave immigrants and their families behind as the nation reforms health care. We urge Senators to support amendments that improve health-care access for immigrants and their families and to oppose efforts that deny them access.”
Cardinal George concluded: “While we deplore the Senate’s refusal to adopt the Nelson-Hatch-Casey amendment, we remain hopeful that the protections overwhelmingly passed by the House will be incorporated into needed reform legislation. Failure to exclude abortion funding will turn allies into adversaries and require us and others to oppose this bill because it abandons both principle and precedent.”
Senate Tables Nelson Amendment - Dorgan and Conrad Vote ProLife
12/08/2009 05:06 PM Filed in: Health Care
The
Senate voted 54 - 45 to table the pro-life
Nelson-Hatch Amendment to restrict funding for
abortion in the health care reform bill. The motion
means that the amendment will not come up for a
formal vote, which would have needed 60 votes for
passage.
Senators Kent Conrad and Byron Dorgan voted against the motion to table. A vote against the motion is a pro-life vote.
Thank you to everyone who contacted the senators. Be sure to contact them and thank them for their vote.
More information to come.
Senators Kent Conrad and Byron Dorgan voted against the motion to table. A vote against the motion is a pro-life vote.
Thank you to everyone who contacted the senators. Be sure to contact them and thank them for their vote.
More information to come.
Catholic Social Teaching Gift Guide
12/08/2009 02:07 PM Filed in: Editorials
Still
looking for Christmas gifts? Consider something
related to Catholic social teaching.
Books All of these books are available at most Catholic bookstores or online booksellers.
Catechism of the Catholic Church Catholic social doctrine is an integral part of the faith. Anyone wondering what the Catholic Church teaches about a social issue should start with the Catechism.
Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, Pontifical Council For Justice And Peace (USCCB Publishing) This compendium commissioned by Pope John Paul II is a must have for anyone who wants to understand the church’s social doctrine.
In Solitary Witness, Gordan Zahn (Templeton) This is the book that brought the story of Franz Jägerstätter to the world. Jägerstätter - now Blessed - was an Austrian peasant, husband, and father martyred for his refusal to serve as a soldier for Nazi regime. Blessed Franz’s letters and life reveal that he was more than a conscientious objector. He was a man of deep faith with a sincere desire to live his entire life in accord with the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Saint John Chrysostom on Wealth and Poverty (St. Vladimir's Seminary Press) A series of homilies given by the fourth century saint with lessons on charity and justice still relevant today.
Lord of the Rings Trilogy, J.R.R. Tolkien This Catholic infused book has layers and layers of discoveries, many of them mirroring Catholic themes of justice, the importance of community, and the dignity of persons.
The Radical Tradition: Revolutionary Saints in the Battle for Justice and Human Rights, edited by Gilbert Markus (Doubleday) This book tells the stories of saints throughout the church’s history who fought for charity and justice. It is an easy read and an ideal gift for teenagers. Although it is out-of-print, used and new copies are available through online bookstores.
iPhone and iPod Touch Apps
iPieta (iVerbum) This app has almost everything a student of social teaching needs - papal encyclicals, the documents of Vatican II, St. Thomas Aquinas’ Summa. Plus you get the Douay-Rheims bible, numerous prayers, a Catholic calendar, and spiritual works by the likes of St. John of the Cross, St. Catherine of Siena, St. John Vianney, and more. In addition, most of the works are searchable and available in Latin. No internet connection is needed. ($2.99 at the iTunes app store.)
Other apps worth mentioning: iBreviary ($.99) and VerseWise Bible Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition ($4.99).
Videos
Bella A pro-life film in the truest sense of the word. Beyond the story of redemption and pro-adoption message, the movie’s treatment of ordinary people, community, families, and even food reveal Catholic themes. Rated PG-13.
Amazing Grace The story of how William Wilberforce worked to abolish slavery in the United Kingdom. An example of politics conducted for the greater good. Rated PG.
Other videos worth mentioning: Entertaining Angels, a biography of Catholic Worker founder Dorothy Day; Romero, about assassinated Archbishop Oscar Romero.
Miscellaneous
Saints Isidore and Marie Items Looking for a gift for a farmer or rancher family? Saint Isidore is the patron saint of farmers. His wife, Marie, is also a canonized saint. Prints, notecards, and prayer cards of the saint husband and wife are available from the National Catholic Rural Life Conference (www.ncrlc.com) ($.20 to $4.00)
Catholic Relief Services Fair Trade Items Help eradicate poverty by supporting farmers and artisans working toward sufficiency. Coffee, chocolate, jewelry, and more are available from Catholic Relief Services and its partner SERRV. (www.serrv.org and crs.org)
ONE This bi-monthly magazine is published by the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA.) CNEWA is an agency of the Holy See supporting the churches of the east and providing humanitarian aid to the Middle East, Northeast Africa, India, and Eastern Europe. Each issue introduces readers to the traditions, cultures, and social challenges in these diverse regions. (cnewa.org) ($24 yearly subscription)
Music
For listeners of rock, U2’s No Line on the Horizon. Although previous albums like How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb may directly tackle social issues, the lyrics in U2’s latest work get to closer to the heart of what it means to be a Christian in the world.
If you like contemporary sacred choral, try Arvo Pärt’s Da Pacem Domine. Actually, I would recommend anything composed by Arvo Pärt, but if you want just a taste, download get the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir performance of this piece. Composed right after the Madrid train bombings, the voices sing:
Give peace, O Lord, in our time
Because there is no one else
Who will fight for us
If not You, our God.
A fitting Christmas message, indeed.
Books All of these books are available at most Catholic bookstores or online booksellers.
Catechism of the Catholic Church Catholic social doctrine is an integral part of the faith. Anyone wondering what the Catholic Church teaches about a social issue should start with the Catechism.
Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, Pontifical Council For Justice And Peace (USCCB Publishing) This compendium commissioned by Pope John Paul II is a must have for anyone who wants to understand the church’s social doctrine.
In Solitary Witness, Gordan Zahn (Templeton) This is the book that brought the story of Franz Jägerstätter to the world. Jägerstätter - now Blessed - was an Austrian peasant, husband, and father martyred for his refusal to serve as a soldier for Nazi regime. Blessed Franz’s letters and life reveal that he was more than a conscientious objector. He was a man of deep faith with a sincere desire to live his entire life in accord with the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Saint John Chrysostom on Wealth and Poverty (St. Vladimir's Seminary Press) A series of homilies given by the fourth century saint with lessons on charity and justice still relevant today.
Lord of the Rings Trilogy, J.R.R. Tolkien This Catholic infused book has layers and layers of discoveries, many of them mirroring Catholic themes of justice, the importance of community, and the dignity of persons.
The Radical Tradition: Revolutionary Saints in the Battle for Justice and Human Rights, edited by Gilbert Markus (Doubleday) This book tells the stories of saints throughout the church’s history who fought for charity and justice. It is an easy read and an ideal gift for teenagers. Although it is out-of-print, used and new copies are available through online bookstores.
iPhone and iPod Touch Apps
iPieta (iVerbum) This app has almost everything a student of social teaching needs - papal encyclicals, the documents of Vatican II, St. Thomas Aquinas’ Summa. Plus you get the Douay-Rheims bible, numerous prayers, a Catholic calendar, and spiritual works by the likes of St. John of the Cross, St. Catherine of Siena, St. John Vianney, and more. In addition, most of the works are searchable and available in Latin. No internet connection is needed. ($2.99 at the iTunes app store.)
Other apps worth mentioning: iBreviary ($.99) and VerseWise Bible Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition ($4.99).
Videos
Bella A pro-life film in the truest sense of the word. Beyond the story of redemption and pro-adoption message, the movie’s treatment of ordinary people, community, families, and even food reveal Catholic themes. Rated PG-13.
Amazing Grace The story of how William Wilberforce worked to abolish slavery in the United Kingdom. An example of politics conducted for the greater good. Rated PG.
Other videos worth mentioning: Entertaining Angels, a biography of Catholic Worker founder Dorothy Day; Romero, about assassinated Archbishop Oscar Romero.
Miscellaneous
Saints Isidore and Marie Items Looking for a gift for a farmer or rancher family? Saint Isidore is the patron saint of farmers. His wife, Marie, is also a canonized saint. Prints, notecards, and prayer cards of the saint husband and wife are available from the National Catholic Rural Life Conference (www.ncrlc.com) ($.20 to $4.00)
Catholic Relief Services Fair Trade Items Help eradicate poverty by supporting farmers and artisans working toward sufficiency. Coffee, chocolate, jewelry, and more are available from Catholic Relief Services and its partner SERRV. (www.serrv.org and crs.org)
ONE This bi-monthly magazine is published by the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA.) CNEWA is an agency of the Holy See supporting the churches of the east and providing humanitarian aid to the Middle East, Northeast Africa, India, and Eastern Europe. Each issue introduces readers to the traditions, cultures, and social challenges in these diverse regions. (cnewa.org) ($24 yearly subscription)
Music
For listeners of rock, U2’s No Line on the Horizon. Although previous albums like How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb may directly tackle social issues, the lyrics in U2’s latest work get to closer to the heart of what it means to be a Christian in the world.
If you like contemporary sacred choral, try Arvo Pärt’s Da Pacem Domine. Actually, I would recommend anything composed by Arvo Pärt, but if you want just a taste, download get the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir performance of this piece. Composed right after the Madrid train bombings, the voices sing:
Give peace, O Lord, in our time
Because there is no one else
Who will fight for us
If not You, our God.
A fitting Christmas message, indeed.
U.S. Bishops Urge Senators To Support Nelson-Hatch-Casey Amendment On Health Care Reform; Urge Constituents To Back It
12/07/2009 12:37 PM Filed in: Health Care
U.S. BISHOPS URGE SENATORS TO SUPPORT
NELSON-HATCH-CASEY AMENDMENT ON HEALTH CARE REFORM;
URGE CONSTITUENTS TO BACK IT
Amendment
precludes use of federal dollars for elective
abortion coverage
Bishops want Stupak-style House amendment included in
Senate bill
Oppose making people pay for other people’s
abortions
WASHINGTON—The
U.S. bishops have voiced support for the
Nelson-Hatch-Casey Amendment to the Senate health
reform bill and have asked voters to back it.
The bishops took the position in a Dec. 7 letter to
all U.S. senators, after Senators Ben Nelson (D-NE),
Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Robert Casey (D-PA) proposed
an amendment to prevent the health reform bill from
using federal funds to pay for health plans that
include elective abortions. The ban would be similar
to the Hyde Amendment, passed in 1976, to ban federal
funds in the Health and Human Services’
appropriations bill from paying for coverage that
includes most abortions.
Similar bans are part of other federal programs,
including the Children’s Health Insurance
Program and the Federal Employee Health Benefits
Program, and included in the House-passed
“Affordable Health Care for America Act.”
“We urgently ask you to support an essential
amendment to be offered by Senators Ben Nelson
(D-NE), Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Robert Casey (D-PA) to
keep in place the longstanding and widely supported
federal policy against government funding of health
coverage that includes elective abortions,” the
letter said.
The bishops also sent to the senators two fact
sheets: Abortion and Conscience Problems in the
Senate Health Care Reform:
http://www.usccb.org/healthcare/hatch-nelson120409.pdf
and
and one on What the Nelson-Hatch-Casey Amendment
Does:
http://www.usccb.org/healthcare/nelsondo.pdf
The
letter was signed by Bishop William Murphy of
Rockville Centre, New York, chair of the
bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and
Human Development; Daniel Cardinal DiNardo of
Galveston-Houston, chair of the bishops’
Committee on Pro-Life Activities, and Bishop John
Wester of Salt Lake City, chair of the bishops’
Committee on Migration.
“This amendment will have the same effect as
the Stupak-Smith-Ellsworth-Kaptur-Dahlkemper-Pitts
Amendment already accepted in the House by an
overwhelming bipartisan majority,” the letter
said. “Like that amendment, it does not change
the current situation in our country: Abortion is
legal and available, but no federal dollars can be
used to pay for elective abortions
or plans
that include elective abortions. This amendment does
not restrict abortion, or prevent people from buying
insurance covering abortion with their own funds. It
simply ensures that where federal funds are involved,
people are not required to pay for other
people’s abortions.”
The letter said that the bill currently before the
Senate “allows the HHS Secretary to mandate
abortion coverage throughout the government-run
‘community health insurance option.’ It
also provides funding for other plans that cover
unlimited abortions, and creates an unprecedented
mandatory ‘abortion surcharge’ in such
plans that will require pro-life purchasers to pay
directly and explicitly for other people’s
abortions. The bill does not maintain essential
nondiscrimination protections for providers who
decline involvement in abortion. The
Nelson-Hatch-Casey amendment simply corrects these
grave departures from current federal policy.”
“We urge the Senate to support the
Nelson-Hatch-Casey amendment keeping the health care
bill abortion-neutral. As other amendments are
offered to the bill that address our priorities on
affordability and fair treatment of immigrants, we
will continue to communicate our positions on these
issues to the Senate,” the bishops said.
In supporting the amendment the bishops urged
Catholics to work for passage by contacting their
senators. One vehicle to do this is through
www.usccb.org/action.
The entire letter follows.
December
7, 2009
United
States Senate
Washington,
DC 20510
Dear
Senator:
On
behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic
Bishops (USCCB), we strongly urge the Senate to adopt
essential changes to the health care reform bill to
ensure that needed health care reform legislation
truly protects the life, dignity, consciences and
health of all.
Therefore
we urgently ask you to
support
an essential amendment to be offered by Senators Ben
Nelson (D-NE),
Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Robert Casey (D-PA)
to
keep in place the longstanding and widely supported
federal policy against government funding of health
coverage that includes elective
abortions.
Sadly,
the current Senate bill fails to keep in place the
longstanding federal policy against the use of
federal funds for elective abortions or health plans
that include elective abortions -- a policy upheld in
all health programs covered by the Hyde Amendment,
the Children’s Health Insurance Program, the
Federal Employee Health Benefits Program -- and now
in the House-passed “Affordable Health Care for
America Act.” We believe legislation that
violates this moral principle is not true health care
reform and must be amended to reflect the Hyde
restrictions. If that fails, the current legislation
should be opposed.
This
amendment will have the same effect as the
Stupak-Pitts-Ellsworth-Kaptur-Dahlkemper-Smith-Lipinski
Amendment already accepted in the House by an
overwhelming bipartisan majority (see attached fact
sheet). Like that amendment, it does not change the
current situation in our country: Abortion is legal
and available, but no federal dollars can be used to
pay for elective abortions
or plans
that include elective abortions. This amendment does
not restrict abortion, or prevent people from buying
insurance covering abortion with their own funds. It
simply ensures that where federal funds are involved,
people are not required to pay for other
people’s abortions.
The
bill currently before the Senate allows the HHS
Secretary to mandate abortion coverage throughout the
government-run “community health insurance
option.” It also provides funding for
other plans that cover unlimited abortions, and
creates an unprecedented mandatory “abortion
surcharge” in such plans that will require
pro-life purchasers to pay directly and explicitly
for other people’s abortions. The bill does not
maintain essential nondiscrimination protections for
providers who decline involvement in abortion. The
Nelson-Hatch-Casey amendment simply corrects these
grave departures from current federal
policy.
We
urge the Senate to support the
Nelson–Hatch-Casey amendment. As other
amendments are offered to the bill that address our
priorities on conscience protection, affordability
and fair treatment of immigrants, we will continue to
communicate our positions on these issues to the
Senate.
The
Catholic bishops have long supported adequate and
affordable health care for all. As pastors and
teachers, we believe genuine health care reform must
protect human life and dignity, not threaten them,
especially for the most voiceless and vulnerable. We
believe health care legislation must respect the
consciences of providers, taxpayers, and others, not
violate them. We believe universal coverage should be
truly universal, not deny health care to those in
need because of their condition, age, where they come
from or when they arrive here. Providing affordable
and accessible health care that clearly reflects
these fundamental principles is a public good, moral
imperative and urgent national
priority.
Sincerely,
Most Reverend William F. Murphy
Bishop of Rockville Centre
Chairman
Committee on Domestic Justice
and Human Development
Daniel Cardinal DiNardo
Archbishop of Galveston-Houston
Chairman
Committee on Pro-life Activities
Most Reverend John Wester
Bishop of Salt Lake City
Chairman
Committee on Migration
URGENT - Tell Senators Don't Weaken Hyde Amendment
12/04/2009 11:22 AM Filed in: Health Care
|Abortion
Contact
Senators Conrad and Dorgan and tell them not to
weaken the Hyde Amendment.
The full Senate is considering their health care reform bill. The bishops are strongly urging the Senate to incorporate essential changes to the Senate’s health care reform bill to ensure that needed health care reform legislation truly protects the life, dignity, consciences and health of all. The amendment to maintain the prohibition on federal funding of abortion could be voted on as early as Monday, December 7. Please contact your Senators today!
Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Ben Nelson (D-NE) have submitted an amendment that like the Stupak amendment that was included in the final House bill, prevents this legislation from mandating abortion coverage or providing federal funds for coverage that includes elective abortions. Those wishing to purchase abortion coverage may continue to do so with their own private funds, but not in the government-run health care plan or with the help of federal subsidies.
Senate: On November 18, Senate leadership unveiled its health care reform bill, The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. This bill has been brought to the floor by inserting its text into H.R. 3590, an unrelated House-passed tax measure. Debate and votes have begun and may continue until the Christmas recess.
In a November 20 letter to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. bishops urged essential changes in the Senate bill: to retain federal policy on abortion funding and conscience protection; to protect access to health care for immigrants; and to provide for adequate affordability and coverage standards. The bishops said: “Sadly, the legislative proposal recently unveiled in the Senate does not meet these moral criteria.” The bishops specifically said that if the bill’s serious defects on abortion are not corrected, “the current legislation should be opposed.”
Message: Vote Yes on the Hatch-Nelson Amendment to Preserve the Hyde Amendment in Health Care Reform.
When: Now! The Senate could vote on the amendment within the next few days.
Where:
Senator Kent Conrad
Washington: (202) 224-2043
Bismarck: (701) 258-4648
Toll Free: 1-800-223-4457
Fargo: Telephone: (701) 232-8030
Grand Forks: Telephone: (701) 775-9601
Minot: Telephone: (701) 852-0703
http://conrad.senate.gov/contact/webform.cfm
Senator Byron L. Dorgan
Washington: (202) 224-2551
Bismarck: (701) 250-4618
Toll Free: 1-800-666-4482
Fargo: (701) 239-5389
Grand Forks: (701) 746-8972
Minot: (701) 852-0703
http://dorgan.senate.gov/contact/
WATCH FOR ADDITIONAL ACTION ALERTS! As the Senate continues to consider amendments to the health care bill on abortion funding, conscience protections, improving affordability and coverage and protecting immigrants’ health care, the USCCB will send Action Alerts to update you on advocacy needed to support health care legislation that protects the life and dignity of all people from conception until natural death.
The full Senate is considering their health care reform bill. The bishops are strongly urging the Senate to incorporate essential changes to the Senate’s health care reform bill to ensure that needed health care reform legislation truly protects the life, dignity, consciences and health of all. The amendment to maintain the prohibition on federal funding of abortion could be voted on as early as Monday, December 7. Please contact your Senators today!
Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Ben Nelson (D-NE) have submitted an amendment that like the Stupak amendment that was included in the final House bill, prevents this legislation from mandating abortion coverage or providing federal funds for coverage that includes elective abortions. Those wishing to purchase abortion coverage may continue to do so with their own private funds, but not in the government-run health care plan or with the help of federal subsidies.
Senate: On November 18, Senate leadership unveiled its health care reform bill, The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. This bill has been brought to the floor by inserting its text into H.R. 3590, an unrelated House-passed tax measure. Debate and votes have begun and may continue until the Christmas recess.
In a November 20 letter to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. bishops urged essential changes in the Senate bill: to retain federal policy on abortion funding and conscience protection; to protect access to health care for immigrants; and to provide for adequate affordability and coverage standards. The bishops said: “Sadly, the legislative proposal recently unveiled in the Senate does not meet these moral criteria.” The bishops specifically said that if the bill’s serious defects on abortion are not corrected, “the current legislation should be opposed.”
Message: Vote Yes on the Hatch-Nelson Amendment to Preserve the Hyde Amendment in Health Care Reform.
When: Now! The Senate could vote on the amendment within the next few days.
Where:
Senator Kent Conrad
Washington: (202) 224-2043
Bismarck: (701) 258-4648
Toll Free: 1-800-223-4457
Fargo: Telephone: (701) 232-8030
Grand Forks: Telephone: (701) 775-9601
Minot: Telephone: (701) 852-0703
http://conrad.senate.gov/contact/webform.cfm
Senator Byron L. Dorgan
Washington: (202) 224-2551
Bismarck: (701) 250-4618
Toll Free: 1-800-666-4482
Fargo: (701) 239-5389
Grand Forks: (701) 746-8972
Minot: (701) 852-0703
http://dorgan.senate.gov/contact/
WATCH FOR ADDITIONAL ACTION ALERTS! As the Senate continues to consider amendments to the health care bill on abortion funding, conscience protections, improving affordability and coverage and protecting immigrants’ health care, the USCCB will send Action Alerts to update you on advocacy needed to support health care legislation that protects the life and dignity of all people from conception until natural death.
U.S. Bishops Voice Disappointment In Abortion-Funding Provisions In Senate Health Bill, Urge Better Care For Immigrants And Affordability
11/20/2009 05:15 PM Filed in: Health Care
WASHINGTON—The
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops urged
the Senate to make essential changes its health
reform bill in order to keep in place federal law on
abortion funding and conscience protection on
abortion, protect access to health care for
immigrants and include strong provisions for adequate
affordability.
The bishops called the Senate health care bill an “enormous disappointment” that creates new and unacceptable federal policy for funding and coverage of abortions, as well as rights of conscience. Bishop William Murphy, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo and Bishop John Wester voiced their wish for better health care reform legislation in a November 20 letter to the Senate. They chair the bishops’ Committees on Domestic Justice and Human Development, Pro-Life Activities and Migration, respectively.
The letter, which was accompanied with a fact sheet on the House Stupak Amendment (http://www.usccb.org/mr/mediatalk/StupakAmendmentFactsheet.pdf), urged Senators to improve the Senate health care bill in the key areas of affordability, immigration, federal funding and coverage of abortion and conscience rights.
According to the bishops, the bill “does not live up to President Obama’s commitment of barring the use of federal dollars for abortion and maintaining current conscience laws.” They cited an “abortion surcharge” that would force insurance purchasers to pay for other people’s abortions, provisions that would allow the HHS Secretary to mandate unlimited abortion coverage nationwide, and that the bill does not even allow for religious institutions to offer their own employees coverage that conforms to their institution’s teaching.
“The Catholic bishops have advocated for decades for affordable and accessible health care for all, especially the poor and marginalized,” the bishops said. “The Senate bill makes great progress in covering people in our nation. However, the Senate bill would still leave over 24 million people in our nation without health insurance. This is not acceptable.”
The bishops encouraged expanding Medicaid eligibility for those living at 133 percent or lower of the federal policy level. They also urged an end to the five-year ban on legal immigrants for accessing federal health benefits programs and said that undocumented persons should not be barred from purchasing insurance plans with their own money.
“Providing affordable and accessible health care that clearly reflects these fundamental principles is a public good, moral imperative and urgent national priority,” said the bishops.
The text of the letter can be found online at http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/national/2009-11-20-ltr-usccb-health-care-to-senate.pdf and in Spanish at http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/national/SP_1080_hc_reform_Sen_1120.pdf.
The bishops called the Senate health care bill an “enormous disappointment” that creates new and unacceptable federal policy for funding and coverage of abortions, as well as rights of conscience. Bishop William Murphy, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo and Bishop John Wester voiced their wish for better health care reform legislation in a November 20 letter to the Senate. They chair the bishops’ Committees on Domestic Justice and Human Development, Pro-Life Activities and Migration, respectively.
The letter, which was accompanied with a fact sheet on the House Stupak Amendment (http://www.usccb.org/mr/mediatalk/StupakAmendmentFactsheet.pdf), urged Senators to improve the Senate health care bill in the key areas of affordability, immigration, federal funding and coverage of abortion and conscience rights.
According to the bishops, the bill “does not live up to President Obama’s commitment of barring the use of federal dollars for abortion and maintaining current conscience laws.” They cited an “abortion surcharge” that would force insurance purchasers to pay for other people’s abortions, provisions that would allow the HHS Secretary to mandate unlimited abortion coverage nationwide, and that the bill does not even allow for religious institutions to offer their own employees coverage that conforms to their institution’s teaching.
“The Catholic bishops have advocated for decades for affordable and accessible health care for all, especially the poor and marginalized,” the bishops said. “The Senate bill makes great progress in covering people in our nation. However, the Senate bill would still leave over 24 million people in our nation without health insurance. This is not acceptable.”
The bishops encouraged expanding Medicaid eligibility for those living at 133 percent or lower of the federal policy level. They also urged an end to the five-year ban on legal immigrants for accessing federal health benefits programs and said that undocumented persons should not be barred from purchasing insurance plans with their own money.
“Providing affordable and accessible health care that clearly reflects these fundamental principles is a public good, moral imperative and urgent national priority,” said the bishops.
The text of the letter can be found online at http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/national/2009-11-20-ltr-usccb-health-care-to-senate.pdf and in Spanish at http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/national/SP_1080_hc_reform_Sen_1120.pdf.
Reminder - Bulletin Inserts!
11/19/2009 11:23 AM Filed in: Health Care
Just a friendly
reminder to use the nationwide bulletin insert
this
weekend. Senate debate on the health care
bill could begin this weekend. Even if you
distributed the earlier bulletin insert a few weeks
ago, it is important to also distribute the updated
insert.
Updated Bulletin Inserts!
11/16/2009 09:35 AM Filed in: Health Care
A few weeks ago,
diocesan and parish leaders were asked by the U.S.
Bishops Conference to distribute a nationwide
bulletin insert on health care reform. Thank you for
your great cooperation in that effort. On November 7,
the U.S. House of Representatives passed major health
care reform which reaffirmed longstanding and widely
supported policy that no federal funds will be used
to pay for elective abortions (the Stupak Amendment).
Your efforts made a difference.
It is now critical that the Senate adopt the House-approved Stupak Amendment language that restricts federal funding for elective abortions and for plans which include elective abortions. This language, approved by the House by a large majority, ensures that Americans are not forced to pay for the destruction of unborn children as a part of needed health care reform. The Senate needs to address other essential moral priorities such as protecting conscience rights, making health care more affordable and accessible for those without coverage, and ensuring that immigrants do not lose or will not be denied needed health care coverage.
Given upcoming Senate action, the U.S. bishops have asked that the UPDATED: Nationwide Bulletin Insert on health care reform be printed or hand-stuffed in every parish bulletin and/or distributed in pews or at church entrances as soon as possible. Senate votes may take place soon. If your Arch/bishop approved disseminating the original bulletin insert last month, this is an update to that bulletin insert.
Also included are suggested Pulpit Announcements and a Prayer Petition. Please encourage parishioners to pray for this effort as well. More information can be found at www.usccb.org/healthcare.
Thank you for your urgent actions and prayers on behalf of this nationwide effort!
It is now critical that the Senate adopt the House-approved Stupak Amendment language that restricts federal funding for elective abortions and for plans which include elective abortions. This language, approved by the House by a large majority, ensures that Americans are not forced to pay for the destruction of unborn children as a part of needed health care reform. The Senate needs to address other essential moral priorities such as protecting conscience rights, making health care more affordable and accessible for those without coverage, and ensuring that immigrants do not lose or will not be denied needed health care coverage.
Given upcoming Senate action, the U.S. bishops have asked that the UPDATED: Nationwide Bulletin Insert on health care reform be printed or hand-stuffed in every parish bulletin and/or distributed in pews or at church entrances as soon as possible. Senate votes may take place soon. If your Arch/bishop approved disseminating the original bulletin insert last month, this is an update to that bulletin insert.
Also included are suggested Pulpit Announcements and a Prayer Petition. Please encourage parishioners to pray for this effort as well. More information can be found at www.usccb.org/healthcare.
Thank you for your urgent actions and prayers on behalf of this nationwide effort!
What the Stupak Amendment Really Does
11/16/2009 09:32 AM Filed in: Health Care
|Abortion
On November 7, 2009,
during consideration of the Affordable Health Care
for America Act (H.R. 3962), Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI)
and other pro-life members offered an amendment to
prevent the health care reform bill from subsidizing
coverage of elective abortions. Other sponsors
included Rep. Joseph Pitts (R-PA), Brad Ellsworth
(D-IN), Marcy Kaptur (D- OH), Kathy Dahlkemper
(D-PA), Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Dan Lipinski (D-IL).
The amendment was adopted 240 to 194, with the
support of 64 Democrats. The bill was later approved
220 to 215, and sent to the Senate where debate will
continue.
There are a number of misunderstandings and false claims regarding the Amendment adopted by the House. Here is a summary of what it really does,1 and some answers to frequently asked questions.
There are a number of misunderstandings and false claims regarding the Amendment adopted by the House. Here is a summary of what it really does,1 and some answers to frequently asked questions.
Cardinal George Lauds House Action To Ban Federal Funds For Abortion; Promises Vigilance As Senate Pursues Health Care Reform, Wary About Affect On Poor, Elderly
11/10/2009 07:22 AM Filed in: Health Care
House action backs President Obama’s promise to
not expand abortion Senate must follow House example
Bishops still concerned for poor, elderly
WASHINGTON—Cardinal
Francis George of Chicago, president of the United
States Conference of Catholic Bishops, lauded the
November 7 decision of the U.S. House of
Representatives to block federal health care reform
money from paying for elective abortions.
In a statement issued November 9, two days after the
Saturday night decision, Cardinal George voiced
thanks that “the Representatives honored
President Obama’s commitment to the Congress
and the nation that health care reform would not
become a vehicle for expanding abortion funding or
mandates.”
“The Conference will remain vigilant and
involved throughout this entire process to assure
that these essential provisions are maintained and
included in the final legislation,” He added.
“We remain deeply concerned about other aspects
of health care reform as the debate now moves to the
Senate, especially as it affects the poor and
vulnerable, and those at the beginning and end of
life. We will continue to insist that health care
reform legislation must protect conscience rights. We
support measures to make health care more affordable
for low-income people and the uninsured. We remain
deeply concerned that immigrants be treated fairly
and not lose the health care coverage that they now
have,” he said also.
The full statement follows.
Over
the weekend, the US House of Representatives advanced
major legislation to provide adequate and affordable
health care to all. The Catholic Bishops of the
United States have long advocated that adequate
health care be made available to everyone. In an
essential step, the House voted overwhelmingly to
reaffirm the longstanding and widely supported
precedent that no federal funds will be used to pay
for elective abortions. In doing so, the
Representatives honored President Obama’s
commitment to the Congress and the nation that health
care reform would not become a vehicle for expanding
abortion funding or mandates. The Conference will
remain vigilant and involved throughout this entire
process to assure that these essential provisions are
maintained and included in the final legislation. We
will work to persuade the Senate to follow the
example of the House and include these critical
safeguards in their version of health care reform
legislation. We also thank the members of the House
who took this courageous and principled step to
oppose measures that would force Americans to pay for
the destruction of unborn children, and the
Democratic leadership for allowing the
Representatives to vote on this amendment that
protects the common good.
In the national discussion on how to provide the best
kind of health care, we bishops do not claim or
present ourselves as experts on health care policy.
We are not prepared to assess every provision of
legislation as complex as this proposal. However,
health care legislation, with all its political,
technical and economic aspects, is about human beings
and hence has serious moral dimensions. Our focus is
the concrete realities of families with children and
their access to doctors, the poor and the elderly,
those with limited means and those with few or even
no means, such as the mother carrying a child in her
womb. Our Catholic commitment to health care picks up
the pieces of our failing system in our emergency
rooms, clinics, parishes and communities. This is why
we believe our nation’s health care system
needs reform which protects human life and dignity
and serves the poor and vulnerable as a moral
imperative and an urgent national priority.
We remain deeply concerned about the debate that now
moves to the Senate, especially as it will affect the
poor and vulnerable, and those at the beginning and
end of life. We will continue to insist that health
care reform legislation must protect conscience
rights. We support measures to make health care more
affordable for low-income people and the uninsured.
We remain deeply concerned that immigrants be treated
fairly and not lose the health care coverage that
they now have. We will continue to raise our voices
in public and in prayer; we ask our people to join us
in making the moral case for genuine health care
reform that protects the life, dignity, consciences
and health of all.
Stupak Amendment Passed!
11/08/2009 08:57 AM Filed in: Health Care
As
most of you know, the pro-life Stupak Amendment
passed last night, 240 - 194, clearing the way for
health care reform to move forward.
Congressman Earl Pomeroy voted for the amendment. Please take a moment to send him a note of appreciation.
Representative Earl Pomeroy
Washington: United States House of Representatives
1501 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Telephone: (202) 225-2611
FAX: (202) 226-0893
Bismarck: Telephone: (701) 224-0355
Fargo: Telephone: (701) 235-9760
http://www.house.gov/formpomeroy/zipauth.htm
Congressman Earl Pomeroy voted for the amendment. Please take a moment to send him a note of appreciation.
Representative Earl Pomeroy
Washington: United States House of Representatives
1501 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Telephone: (202) 225-2611
FAX: (202) 226-0893
Bismarck: Telephone: (701) 224-0355
Fargo: Telephone: (701) 235-9760
http://www.house.gov/formpomeroy/zipauth.htm
Bishops Urge Passage Of Stupak-Ellsworth Anti-Abortion Amendment For Health Reform Bill
11/07/2009 12:26 PM Filed in: Health Care
WASHINGTON—The
U.S. bishops November 7 urged members of the House of
Representatives to vote for the Stupak-Ellsworth
Amendment to the health care reform.
“The Stupak-Ellsworth-Pitts-Kaptur-Dahlkemper-Lipinski-Smith Amendment will keep in place current federal law on abortion funding and conscience protections in the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962),” they said.
The letter was signed by Cardinal Justin Rigali, chair of the bishops’ Committee on Pro-life Activities, and Bishop William Murphy of Rockville Centre, New York, chair of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development
The letter follows.
Dear Representative:
On behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), we strongly urge you to vote for the Stupak-Ellsworth-Pitts-Kaptur-Dahlkemper-Lipinski-Smith Amendment and to support a fair process in the House of Representatives to consider this essential improvement in health care reform legislation. The Stupak-Ellsworth-Pitts-Kaptur-Dahlkemper-Lipinski-Smith Amendment will keep in place current federal law on abortion funding and conscience protections in the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962).
Despite some claims to the contrary, H.R. 3962 does not reflect the status quo on abortion. It fails to explicitly and clearly include the longstanding policy prohibiting federal funding of elective abortion and plans which include elective abortion (Hyde Amendment). Medicaid, Medicare, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and other federal health legislation include this provision. Currently H.R. 3962 has some helpful provisions on conscience protection and non- preemption of state laws, but it utterly fails to maintain current prohibitions on abortion mandates and abortion funding. Instead it creates elaborate measures requiring people to pay for other people’s abortions with their taxes, private premiums or federal subsidies. Significantly, the Federal Employee Heath Benefit Program, which covers all members of Congress and their families, has long been governed by the Hyde amendment in all its aspects and is widely seen as a model for reform.
Additionally, H.R. 3962 allows the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services to mandate that the “public option” will include unlimited abortions. Millions of purchasers will be forced to pay an “abortion surcharge,” which requires purchasers of many plans to pay directly and explicitly for abortion coverage. This is unprecedented in federal law.
The Stupak-Ellsworth-Pitts-Kaptur-Dahlkemper-Lipinski-Smith Amendment will not affect coverage of abortion in non-subsidized health plans, and will not bar anyone from purchasing a supplemental abortion policy with their own funds. Thus far, H.R. 3962 does not meet President Obama’s commitment of barring use of federal dollars for abortion and maintaining current conscience laws.
If the Motion to Recommit focuses on denying immigrants needed health care, as reported, we strongly urge Members to oppose the Motion to Recommit.
Our Bishops’ conference has been working for many years to support health care reform legislation that truly protects the life, dignity, health and consciences of all. Adopting this amendment will help move us move toward this essential national priority and moral imperative.
Sincerely,
Bishop William Murphy Cardinal Justin Rigali Diocese of Rockville Centre Archdiocese of Philadelphia Chairman Chairman Committee on Domestic Justice and Committee on Pro-life Activities Human Development
“The Stupak-Ellsworth-Pitts-Kaptur-Dahlkemper-Lipinski-Smith Amendment will keep in place current federal law on abortion funding and conscience protections in the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962),” they said.
The letter was signed by Cardinal Justin Rigali, chair of the bishops’ Committee on Pro-life Activities, and Bishop William Murphy of Rockville Centre, New York, chair of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development
The letter follows.
Dear Representative:
On behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), we strongly urge you to vote for the Stupak-Ellsworth-Pitts-Kaptur-Dahlkemper-Lipinski-Smith Amendment and to support a fair process in the House of Representatives to consider this essential improvement in health care reform legislation. The Stupak-Ellsworth-Pitts-Kaptur-Dahlkemper-Lipinski-Smith Amendment will keep in place current federal law on abortion funding and conscience protections in the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962).
Despite some claims to the contrary, H.R. 3962 does not reflect the status quo on abortion. It fails to explicitly and clearly include the longstanding policy prohibiting federal funding of elective abortion and plans which include elective abortion (Hyde Amendment). Medicaid, Medicare, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and other federal health legislation include this provision. Currently H.R. 3962 has some helpful provisions on conscience protection and non- preemption of state laws, but it utterly fails to maintain current prohibitions on abortion mandates and abortion funding. Instead it creates elaborate measures requiring people to pay for other people’s abortions with their taxes, private premiums or federal subsidies. Significantly, the Federal Employee Heath Benefit Program, which covers all members of Congress and their families, has long been governed by the Hyde amendment in all its aspects and is widely seen as a model for reform.
Additionally, H.R. 3962 allows the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services to mandate that the “public option” will include unlimited abortions. Millions of purchasers will be forced to pay an “abortion surcharge,” which requires purchasers of many plans to pay directly and explicitly for abortion coverage. This is unprecedented in federal law.
The Stupak-Ellsworth-Pitts-Kaptur-Dahlkemper-Lipinski-Smith Amendment will not affect coverage of abortion in non-subsidized health plans, and will not bar anyone from purchasing a supplemental abortion policy with their own funds. Thus far, H.R. 3962 does not meet President Obama’s commitment of barring use of federal dollars for abortion and maintaining current conscience laws.
If the Motion to Recommit focuses on denying immigrants needed health care, as reported, we strongly urge Members to oppose the Motion to Recommit.
Our Bishops’ conference has been working for many years to support health care reform legislation that truly protects the life, dignity, health and consciences of all. Adopting this amendment will help move us move toward this essential national priority and moral imperative.
Sincerely,
Bishop William Murphy Cardinal Justin Rigali Diocese of Rockville Centre Archdiocese of Philadelphia Chairman Chairman Committee on Domestic Justice and Committee on Pro-life Activities Human Development
Last Minute Push!
11/07/2009 11:20 AM Filed in: Health Care
Late
last night we got we wanted - a chance to vote on the
pro-life Stupak amendments to the House health care
reform bill.
Contact Congressman Earl Pomeroy's office now and ask him to:
(1) Vote "Yes" on the Stupak Amendment;
(2) Vote "Yes" on the Rule (if Stupak Amendment Passes)
(3) Vote "No" on the Motion to Commit (which has an anti-immigrant provision).
Act Now! Debate on the bill has started!
Representative Earl Pomeroy
Washington: United States House of Representatives
1501 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Telephone: (202) 225-2611
FAX: (202) 226-0893
Bismarck: Telephone: (701) 224-0355
Fargo: Telephone: (701) 235-9760
http://www.house.gov/formpomeroy/zipauth.htm
Contact Congressman Earl Pomeroy's office now and ask him to:
(1) Vote "Yes" on the Stupak Amendment;
(2) Vote "Yes" on the Rule (if Stupak Amendment Passes)
(3) Vote "No" on the Motion to Commit (which has an anti-immigrant provision).
Act Now! Debate on the bill has started!
Representative Earl Pomeroy
Washington: United States House of Representatives
1501 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Telephone: (202) 225-2611
FAX: (202) 226-0893
Bismarck: Telephone: (701) 224-0355
Fargo: Telephone: (701) 235-9760
http://www.house.gov/formpomeroy/zipauth.htm
Bishops To House: Keep Abortion Funding Out Of Health Care Reform, Make Health Care Available To Vulnerable
11/06/2009 01:27 PM Filed in: Health Care
Washington—The
U.S. bishops sent an urgent message to the U.S. House
of Representatives November 6, as House members
steeped themselves in debate over procedures related
to abortion and the health care reform bill.
Moments before meeting to discuss proposed amendments to the bill, the bishops called for “a fair process” that would permit discussion of “an amendment to keep in place current federal law on abortion funding and conscience protections.” Some in the House seek a “closed rule,” a procedure banning amendments from the bill.
The letter was signed by Bishop William Murphy of Rockville Centre, New York, Chairman of the bishops’ Domestic Justice Committee, Cardinal Justin Rigali, chair of the Committee on pro-life Activities; and Bishop John Wester of Salt Lake City, chair of the Committee on Migration.
The letter follows.
Dear Representative:
On behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), we write to strongly urge you to vote for essential changes and a fair process in the House of Representatives to ensure that needed health care reform legislation truly protects the life, dignity, health and consciences of all. Unfortunately, the legislation moving to the House floor falls fundamentally short of this essential goal. We urge members of the House to:
· support an amendment to keep in place current federal law on abortion funding and conscience protections and to oppose a closed rule that would prevent the House from voting on this crucial matter;
· oppose measures that would leave immigrants, especially legal immigrants, worse off as a result of health reform;
· support access for immigrants to the health-insurance exchange, regardless of legal status, and support removal of the five-year ban on legal immigrants accessing Medicaid and other federal health-care programs; and
· support strong provisions that would make health care more affordable and accessible, especially for the poor and vulnerable, by expanding Medicaid to adults who are living at 150 percent or lower of the Federal Poverty Level and offering adequate affordability credits for households up to 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.
The Catholic Bishops of the United States have long supported adequate and affordable health care for all. We believe universal coverage should be truly universal, not denying health care to those in need because of their condition, age, where they come from or when they arrive here.
Protecting Human Life and Conscience
We are concerned because the current legislation before the House of Representatives fails to keep in place the longstanding federal policy against the use of federal funds for elective abortion or for plans that include elective abortion – a policy upheld by the Hyde Amendment, Children’s Health Insurance Program, Federal Employee Health Benefits Program and other federal health initiatives. Without such protection we will have to oppose the current legislation until this fundamental flaw is remedied.
For this reason, we ask you to vote for an amendment that will keep in place the longstanding and widely supported federal policy against government funding for elective abortions or for plans which include elective abortions. To accomplish this we also urge you to support efforts to guarantee that the House will have a clear and fair opportunity to vote on this essential matter. Please vote against a “closed rule” if necessary so the amendment can be considered. Currently, H.R. 3962 allows the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services to mandate that any “public option” will include unlimited abortions. The Congressional Research Service has confirmed that all money paid out by this plan for medical procedures will be federal outlays. Federal subsidies will also be used to pay the overall costs of establishing and maintaining private health plans that cover elective abortions. Millions of purchasers will be forced to use their premium dollars for abortion coverage they do not want, through a new mandatory fee. The creation of this “abortion surcharge,” a mandatory payment requiring pro-life purchasers of many plans to pay directly and explicitly for abortion coverage, is unprecedented in federal law. Such a proposal runs counter to the principles of the longstanding “Hyde amendment.” Affirming the Hyde Amendment continues the government’s long standing policy without affecting coverage of abortion in non-subsidized health plans, and without barring anyone from purchasing a supplemental abortion policy that is funded solely by the private funds of those who choose it.
Thus far, H.R. 3962 does not meet President Obama’s commitment of barring use of federal dollars for abortion and maintaining current conscience laws. While Section 259 of the bill maintains essential nondiscrimination protections for providers who decline involvement in abortion, the legislation also requires each region of the insurance exchange to include at least one health plan with unlimited abortion, contrary to the policy of all other federal health programs; and conscience protection on issues beyond abortion have yet to be included in this bill.
Immigrants in Health Care Coverage
We support the inclusion of all immigrants, regardless of status, in the health-care exchange. Regardless of status, immigrants living in our country need to have access to health care just as any other human being. Finding ways to provide them with health care is preferable to compelling them to have access only to emergency room care which is an unfair burden on hospitals in urban and other high immigrant areas of our country.
We also support the removal on the five-year ban on legal immigrants accessing federal health benefit programs, such as Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Medicare. Legal immigrants, who work and pay taxes, should have access to such programs, if needed. Removing the ban would help ensure that legal immigrants, who were widely praised in past immigration debates for their many contributions and for playing by the rules, will still have access to health-care.
Accessible and Affordable Health Care
Because we support and advocate in favor of affordable and accessible health care for all, especially the poor and marginalized, we want legislation that expands Medicaid eligibility for adults living at 150 percent or lower of the federal poverty level. This will help lower-income families purchase insurance coverage through the Health Insurance Exchange. Provisions in Title I (Immediate Reforms) should be helpful in providing relief to the uninsured and underinsured. The House legislation provides reforms that will strengthen families and protect low-income and vulnerable people by eliminating denial of coverage based on pre-existing conditions including pregnancy; eliminating life time caps; offering long-term disability services; and extending dependant coverage to uninsured young adults.
These are not marginal issues or special interest concerns. They are at the heart of the health care debate. Our concerns outlined in this letter reflects our longstanding commitment to health care and our centuries old experience as providers of health care to all, especially the poor and the vulnerable. In that spirit we reiterate our Catholic tradition that teaches that health care is a basic human right, essential to protecting human life and dignity.
For many months, our Bishops’ conference has been working with members of Congress, the Administration and others to fashion health care reform legislation that truly protects the life, dignity, health and consciences of all. Our message has been clear and consistent throughout. We urge the House of Representatives to permit a vote and to adopt essential changes so that, as long time advocates of health care for all, we are not compelled to oppose this flawed legislation. We hope and pray that the Congress and the country will come together around genuine reform.
Moments before meeting to discuss proposed amendments to the bill, the bishops called for “a fair process” that would permit discussion of “an amendment to keep in place current federal law on abortion funding and conscience protections.” Some in the House seek a “closed rule,” a procedure banning amendments from the bill.
The letter was signed by Bishop William Murphy of Rockville Centre, New York, Chairman of the bishops’ Domestic Justice Committee, Cardinal Justin Rigali, chair of the Committee on pro-life Activities; and Bishop John Wester of Salt Lake City, chair of the Committee on Migration.
The letter follows.
Dear Representative:
On behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), we write to strongly urge you to vote for essential changes and a fair process in the House of Representatives to ensure that needed health care reform legislation truly protects the life, dignity, health and consciences of all. Unfortunately, the legislation moving to the House floor falls fundamentally short of this essential goal. We urge members of the House to:
· support an amendment to keep in place current federal law on abortion funding and conscience protections and to oppose a closed rule that would prevent the House from voting on this crucial matter;
· oppose measures that would leave immigrants, especially legal immigrants, worse off as a result of health reform;
· support access for immigrants to the health-insurance exchange, regardless of legal status, and support removal of the five-year ban on legal immigrants accessing Medicaid and other federal health-care programs; and
· support strong provisions that would make health care more affordable and accessible, especially for the poor and vulnerable, by expanding Medicaid to adults who are living at 150 percent or lower of the Federal Poverty Level and offering adequate affordability credits for households up to 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.
The Catholic Bishops of the United States have long supported adequate and affordable health care for all. We believe universal coverage should be truly universal, not denying health care to those in need because of their condition, age, where they come from or when they arrive here.
Protecting Human Life and Conscience
We are concerned because the current legislation before the House of Representatives fails to keep in place the longstanding federal policy against the use of federal funds for elective abortion or for plans that include elective abortion – a policy upheld by the Hyde Amendment, Children’s Health Insurance Program, Federal Employee Health Benefits Program and other federal health initiatives. Without such protection we will have to oppose the current legislation until this fundamental flaw is remedied.
For this reason, we ask you to vote for an amendment that will keep in place the longstanding and widely supported federal policy against government funding for elective abortions or for plans which include elective abortions. To accomplish this we also urge you to support efforts to guarantee that the House will have a clear and fair opportunity to vote on this essential matter. Please vote against a “closed rule” if necessary so the amendment can be considered. Currently, H.R. 3962 allows the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services to mandate that any “public option” will include unlimited abortions. The Congressional Research Service has confirmed that all money paid out by this plan for medical procedures will be federal outlays. Federal subsidies will also be used to pay the overall costs of establishing and maintaining private health plans that cover elective abortions. Millions of purchasers will be forced to use their premium dollars for abortion coverage they do not want, through a new mandatory fee. The creation of this “abortion surcharge,” a mandatory payment requiring pro-life purchasers of many plans to pay directly and explicitly for abortion coverage, is unprecedented in federal law. Such a proposal runs counter to the principles of the longstanding “Hyde amendment.” Affirming the Hyde Amendment continues the government’s long standing policy without affecting coverage of abortion in non-subsidized health plans, and without barring anyone from purchasing a supplemental abortion policy that is funded solely by the private funds of those who choose it.
Thus far, H.R. 3962 does not meet President Obama’s commitment of barring use of federal dollars for abortion and maintaining current conscience laws. While Section 259 of the bill maintains essential nondiscrimination protections for providers who decline involvement in abortion, the legislation also requires each region of the insurance exchange to include at least one health plan with unlimited abortion, contrary to the policy of all other federal health programs; and conscience protection on issues beyond abortion have yet to be included in this bill.
Immigrants in Health Care Coverage
We support the inclusion of all immigrants, regardless of status, in the health-care exchange. Regardless of status, immigrants living in our country need to have access to health care just as any other human being. Finding ways to provide them with health care is preferable to compelling them to have access only to emergency room care which is an unfair burden on hospitals in urban and other high immigrant areas of our country.
We also support the removal on the five-year ban on legal immigrants accessing federal health benefit programs, such as Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Medicare. Legal immigrants, who work and pay taxes, should have access to such programs, if needed. Removing the ban would help ensure that legal immigrants, who were widely praised in past immigration debates for their many contributions and for playing by the rules, will still have access to health-care.
Accessible and Affordable Health Care
Because we support and advocate in favor of affordable and accessible health care for all, especially the poor and marginalized, we want legislation that expands Medicaid eligibility for adults living at 150 percent or lower of the federal poverty level. This will help lower-income families purchase insurance coverage through the Health Insurance Exchange. Provisions in Title I (Immediate Reforms) should be helpful in providing relief to the uninsured and underinsured. The House legislation provides reforms that will strengthen families and protect low-income and vulnerable people by eliminating denial of coverage based on pre-existing conditions including pregnancy; eliminating life time caps; offering long-term disability services; and extending dependant coverage to uninsured young adults.
These are not marginal issues or special interest concerns. They are at the heart of the health care debate. Our concerns outlined in this letter reflects our longstanding commitment to health care and our centuries old experience as providers of health care to all, especially the poor and the vulnerable. In that spirit we reiterate our Catholic tradition that teaches that health care is a basic human right, essential to protecting human life and dignity.
For many months, our Bishops’ conference has been working with members of Congress, the Administration and others to fashion health care reform legislation that truly protects the life, dignity, health and consciences of all. Our message has been clear and consistent throughout. We urge the House of Representatives to permit a vote and to adopt essential changes so that, as long time advocates of health care for all, we are not compelled to oppose this flawed legislation. We hope and pray that the Congress and the country will come together around genuine reform.
New Parish Resources
11/05/2009 04:45 PM Filed in: Health Care
Thank you for the tremendous response in sharing the
USCCB Nationwide Bulletin Insert in your
dioceses. Action has begun in the House this
week, so continued parish distribution of the
Bulletin Insert is still needed. Action in the
Senate will follow the House. Please continue
to push the
Bulletin Insert
(also
in Spanish)
and
Pulpit Announcements.
Our Catholic faith teaches that health care is a basic human right – from the moment of conception until natural death. Therefore, the Catholic Bishops of the United States have clearly required that longstanding federal protections that restrict abortion funding and mandates and that protect conscience rights must be reflected in health reform legislation. In addition, the bishops have focused on efforts to ensure that coverage is affordable to families and that immigrants have better health care as a result of reform.
The bishops have long supported adequate and affordable health care for all. As pastors and teachers, they believe genuine health care reform must protect human life and dignity, not threaten them, especially for the most voiceless and vulnerable. The bishops believe health care legislation must respect the consciences of providers and taxpayers not violate them, and that universal coverage should be truly universal, not denying health care to those in need because of their condition, age, where they come from or when they arrive here. Providing affordable and accessible health care for all that clearly reflects these fundamental principles is a public good, moral imperative and urgent national priority.
Sadly, the current legislation before the House of Representatives does not meet these moral criteria. Specifically, it fails to keep in place the longstanding federal policy against the use of federal funds for elective abortion or for plans that include elective abortion --a policy upheld by the Hyde Amendment, Children’s Health Insurance Program, Federal Employee Health Benefits Program and other federal health initiatives. The bishops have made it clear that legislation which violates such moral principles is not true health care reform and must be amended to reflect them. If that fails, the bishops have stated that the current legislation should be opposed until this fundamental flaw is remedied.
To assist you with information on the current legislation, attached are fact sheets on:
Myths and Facts: The Capps Amendment to H.R. 3962 (updated Nov 2)
Current Policy on Federal Funding of Abortion
The effort to pass legislation that protects the life, dignity and health care of all, will certainly require our efforts, but most especially our prayers. Please ask parishioners to spend time in prayer, and especially encourage Eucharistic Adoration in parishes.
Suggested prayers include the attached resources in English and Spanish:
Prayer for the Uninsured
Holy Hour for Life
Prayer for the Protection of Unborn Children and Conscience Rights
Prayer of the Faithful
Thank you for your urgent actions and prayers on behalf of this nationwide effort!
capps_re3962
funding_abortion
HC_PrayerResources
SP_HC_PrayerResources
Our Catholic faith teaches that health care is a basic human right – from the moment of conception until natural death. Therefore, the Catholic Bishops of the United States have clearly required that longstanding federal protections that restrict abortion funding and mandates and that protect conscience rights must be reflected in health reform legislation. In addition, the bishops have focused on efforts to ensure that coverage is affordable to families and that immigrants have better health care as a result of reform.
The bishops have long supported adequate and affordable health care for all. As pastors and teachers, they believe genuine health care reform must protect human life and dignity, not threaten them, especially for the most voiceless and vulnerable. The bishops believe health care legislation must respect the consciences of providers and taxpayers not violate them, and that universal coverage should be truly universal, not denying health care to those in need because of their condition, age, where they come from or when they arrive here. Providing affordable and accessible health care for all that clearly reflects these fundamental principles is a public good, moral imperative and urgent national priority.
Sadly, the current legislation before the House of Representatives does not meet these moral criteria. Specifically, it fails to keep in place the longstanding federal policy against the use of federal funds for elective abortion or for plans that include elective abortion --a policy upheld by the Hyde Amendment, Children’s Health Insurance Program, Federal Employee Health Benefits Program and other federal health initiatives. The bishops have made it clear that legislation which violates such moral principles is not true health care reform and must be amended to reflect them. If that fails, the bishops have stated that the current legislation should be opposed until this fundamental flaw is remedied.
To assist you with information on the current legislation, attached are fact sheets on:
Myths and Facts: The Capps Amendment to H.R. 3962 (updated Nov 2)
Current Policy on Federal Funding of Abortion
The effort to pass legislation that protects the life, dignity and health care of all, will certainly require our efforts, but most especially our prayers. Please ask parishioners to spend time in prayer, and especially encourage Eucharistic Adoration in parishes.
Suggested prayers include the attached resources in English and Spanish:
Prayer for the Uninsured
Holy Hour for Life
Prayer for the Protection of Unborn Children and Conscience Rights
Prayer of the Faithful
Thank you for your urgent actions and prayers on behalf of this nationwide effort!
capps_re3962
funding_abortion
HC_PrayerResources
SP_HC_PrayerResources
New Fact Sheet on Capps Amendment
11/03/2009 01:16 PM Filed in: Health Care
|Abortion
Tired of misinformation
about abortion and health care reform but not sure
how to respond? Check out this fact
sheet.
Urgent Bulletin Inserts
10/28/2009 05:41 PM Filed in: Health Care
|Abortion
The U.S. Bishops are
asking that the following action alert be distributed
at every parish as soon as possible. Every priest,
deacon, and parish administrator should download the
following materials immediately.
(1) Nationwide Bulletin Insert
(2) Pulpit Announcements
(3) Flyer
Thank you for your cooperation on this vital issue!
(1) Nationwide Bulletin Insert
(2) Pulpit Announcements
(3) Flyer
Thank you for your cooperation on this vital issue!
Federal Abortion Funding: What Some People Want to "Hyde" from You
10/19/2009 03:50 PM Filed in: Abortion
|Health Care
LIFE ISSUES FORUM
For Immediate Release
October 16, 2009
Federal Abortion Funding:
What Some People Want to “Hyde” from You
By Susan E. Wills
Addressing health care reform in his September 9 speech to Congress, President Obama assured the American public that “under our plan, no federal dollars will be used to fund abortions.”
This was truly a welcome pledge. Up to this point, one Congressional committee after another has rejected pro-life amendments to do exactly this.
At press time for this column, we are approaching the eleventh hour. Five bills have been reported by Congressional committees, and all five would permit or mandate the use of federal revenues for health coverage that includes elective abortions.
Now would be an excellent time for the Administration to weigh in on a federal abortion funding ban. Such a move would make sense politically as well as morally. A September 2009 survey commissioned by the Catholic bishops’ conference found that 67% of Americans oppose “measures that would require people to pay for abortion coverage with their federal taxes” while only 19% favor such measures; 68% said they do not want abortion in their own insurance coverage while 24% said they do. Earlier this year, Catholics mailed over 30 million postcards to Congress, asking their elected representatives to oppose the Freedom of Choice Act “and retain laws against federal funding and promotion of abortion.”
But recent comments by White House spokesman Robert Gibbs suggest that the Administration may not be lobbying Congress for a funding ban. Twice Mr. Gibbs took issue with letters the Catholic bishops have written urging Congress to remove abortion funding from the health care reform bills.
In one letter the bishops noted: “So far the health reform bills … have not met President Obama’s challenge of barring the use of federal dollars for abortion.” Asked if the President agreed, Mr. Gibbs responded: “I would mention there’s a law that precludes the use of federal funds for abortion. That isn’t going to be changed in these health-care bills.” He refers, of course, to the Hyde Amendment, which Congress has reaffirmed every year for over three decades.
Two days later, a reporter asked Gibbs if the President will “call on Congress to have an explicit prohibition of abortion funding.” He replied: “My answer isn’t different than it was on Wednesday. There may be a legal interpretation that has been lost here, but there’s a fairly clear federal law prohibiting the use of federal money for abortion. I think it is – again, it’s exceedingly clear in the law.”
Contrary to Mr. Gibbs’ assertion, however, it is “exceedingly clear” that the Hyde Amendment does not apply to any of the health care reform bills. Here’s why:
Between 1973 and 1976, courts interpreted broadly-worded language on health benefits in the Medicaid statute to include abortion. Taxpayers were forced to pay for the abortion deaths of about 300,000 children annually. In 1976 the Hyde Amendment was passed, as a rider to the annual Health and Human Services (HHS) appropriations bill. Hyde prevents federal funding of elective abortions and of health benefits packages that include such abortions. But it is not permanent law, and it applies only to funds appropriated under the annual HHS bill, not to funds appropriated under other statutes. So specific prohibitions on abortion funding have been written into laws governing other federal programs, such as federal employee health benefits, foreign aid, and military hospitals. An explicit prohibition must also be included in the final health care reform bill to avert a huge expansion of federal abortion funding. Without it, and notwithstanding their strong support for health care reform, the bishops will have no choice but to oppose the final bill vigorously.
Please contact Congress today to state your opposition to expanded federal abortion funding. A visit to www.nchla.org will allow you to send a message to your Senators and Representative with just two clicks. For more information on supporting genuine health care reform that respects the life and dignity of all, go to www.usccb.org/healthcare.
Susan Wills is assistant director for education and outreach, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities.
For Immediate Release
October 16, 2009
Federal Abortion Funding:
What Some People Want to “Hyde” from You
By Susan E. Wills
Addressing health care reform in his September 9 speech to Congress, President Obama assured the American public that “under our plan, no federal dollars will be used to fund abortions.”
This was truly a welcome pledge. Up to this point, one Congressional committee after another has rejected pro-life amendments to do exactly this.
At press time for this column, we are approaching the eleventh hour. Five bills have been reported by Congressional committees, and all five would permit or mandate the use of federal revenues for health coverage that includes elective abortions.
Now would be an excellent time for the Administration to weigh in on a federal abortion funding ban. Such a move would make sense politically as well as morally. A September 2009 survey commissioned by the Catholic bishops’ conference found that 67% of Americans oppose “measures that would require people to pay for abortion coverage with their federal taxes” while only 19% favor such measures; 68% said they do not want abortion in their own insurance coverage while 24% said they do. Earlier this year, Catholics mailed over 30 million postcards to Congress, asking their elected representatives to oppose the Freedom of Choice Act “and retain laws against federal funding and promotion of abortion.”
But recent comments by White House spokesman Robert Gibbs suggest that the Administration may not be lobbying Congress for a funding ban. Twice Mr. Gibbs took issue with letters the Catholic bishops have written urging Congress to remove abortion funding from the health care reform bills.
In one letter the bishops noted: “So far the health reform bills … have not met President Obama’s challenge of barring the use of federal dollars for abortion.” Asked if the President agreed, Mr. Gibbs responded: “I would mention there’s a law that precludes the use of federal funds for abortion. That isn’t going to be changed in these health-care bills.” He refers, of course, to the Hyde Amendment, which Congress has reaffirmed every year for over three decades.
Two days later, a reporter asked Gibbs if the President will “call on Congress to have an explicit prohibition of abortion funding.” He replied: “My answer isn’t different than it was on Wednesday. There may be a legal interpretation that has been lost here, but there’s a fairly clear federal law prohibiting the use of federal money for abortion. I think it is – again, it’s exceedingly clear in the law.”
Contrary to Mr. Gibbs’ assertion, however, it is “exceedingly clear” that the Hyde Amendment does not apply to any of the health care reform bills. Here’s why:
Between 1973 and 1976, courts interpreted broadly-worded language on health benefits in the Medicaid statute to include abortion. Taxpayers were forced to pay for the abortion deaths of about 300,000 children annually. In 1976 the Hyde Amendment was passed, as a rider to the annual Health and Human Services (HHS) appropriations bill. Hyde prevents federal funding of elective abortions and of health benefits packages that include such abortions. But it is not permanent law, and it applies only to funds appropriated under the annual HHS bill, not to funds appropriated under other statutes. So specific prohibitions on abortion funding have been written into laws governing other federal programs, such as federal employee health benefits, foreign aid, and military hospitals. An explicit prohibition must also be included in the final health care reform bill to avert a huge expansion of federal abortion funding. Without it, and notwithstanding their strong support for health care reform, the bishops will have no choice but to oppose the final bill vigorously.
Please contact Congress today to state your opposition to expanded federal abortion funding. A visit to www.nchla.org will allow you to send a message to your Senators and Representative with just two clicks. For more information on supporting genuine health care reform that respects the life and dignity of all, go to www.usccb.org/healthcare.
Susan Wills is assistant director for education and outreach, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities.
New Bulletin Insert on Health Care Reform
10/19/2009 03:19 PM Filed in: Health Care
Some of you have asked for action alerts on health
care reform suitable as a parish bulletin insert that
would still be timely by the weekend.
Here is the latest from
USCCB.
If you want to include just a portion in a bulletin, use the following:
How You Can Respond
Call Congress now (find your Representative and Senators at house.gov and senate.gov; Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121) and tell them health care reform should respect the life and dignity of all people. Specifically:
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. No current bill meets this test.
For SENATE: “During floor debate on the health care reform bill, please support a floor amendment to incorporate longstanding policies against abortion funding and in favor of conscience rights. The final bill should be opposed until these serious concerns are addressed.”
For HOUSE: “Support the Stupak Amendment that addresses pro-life concerns on abortion funding and conscience rights and a Rule on the health care bill that allows Members to vote on the amendment. If these serious concerns are not fixed, the final bill should be opposed until they are addressed.”
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 poor and vulnerable.
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.
If you want to include just a portion in a bulletin, use the following:
How You Can Respond
Call Congress now (find your Representative and Senators at house.gov and senate.gov; Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121) and tell them health care reform should respect the life and dignity of all people. Specifically:
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. No current bill meets this test.
For SENATE: “During floor debate on the health care reform bill, please support a floor amendment to incorporate longstanding policies against abortion funding and in favor of conscience rights. The final bill should be opposed until these serious concerns are addressed.”
For HOUSE: “Support the Stupak Amendment that addresses pro-life concerns on abortion funding and conscience rights and a Rule on the health care bill that allows Members to vote on the amendment. If these serious concerns are not fixed, the final bill should be opposed until they are addressed.”
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 poor and vulnerable.
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.
U.S. Bishops: Current Health Care Bills Violate Essential Principles; Will Seek Changes or Have to Oppose
WASHINGTON—Three
chairmen of the bishops’ committees working on
health care reform urged the U.S. Congress to improve
current health care reform legislation, expressing
their “disappointment that progress has not
been made on the three priority criteria for health
care reform” cited in their previous letters.
The October 8 letter from Bishop William Murphy, Cardinal Justin Rigali and Bishop John Wester reiterated the bishops’ main concerns: that no one should be forced to pay for or participate in an abortion, that health care should be affordable and available to the poor and vulnerable, and that the needs of legal immigrants are met.
Bishop Murphy, Cardinal Rigali and Bishop Wester chair the U.S. bishops’ committees on Domestic Justice and Human Development, Pro-Life Activities and Immigration, respectively.
The bishops reaffirmed their commitment to working with Congress and the Administration toward genuine health care reform, but stated, “If final legislation does not meet our principles, we will have no choice but to oppose the bill.”
“We sincerely hope that the legislation will not fall short of our criteria,” wrote the bishops. “However, we remain apprehensive when amendments protecting freedom of conscience and ensuring no taxpayer money for abortion are defeated in committee votes.”
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has advocated for health care reform for decades. The bishops wrote that “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.”
The full text of the letter can be found online at: www.usccb.org/sdwp/national/2009-10-08-healthcare-letter-congress.pdf
The October 8 letter from Bishop William Murphy, Cardinal Justin Rigali and Bishop John Wester reiterated the bishops’ main concerns: that no one should be forced to pay for or participate in an abortion, that health care should be affordable and available to the poor and vulnerable, and that the needs of legal immigrants are met.
Bishop Murphy, Cardinal Rigali and Bishop Wester chair the U.S. bishops’ committees on Domestic Justice and Human Development, Pro-Life Activities and Immigration, respectively.
The bishops reaffirmed their commitment to working with Congress and the Administration toward genuine health care reform, but stated, “If final legislation does not meet our principles, we will have no choice but to oppose the bill.”
“We sincerely hope that the legislation will not fall short of our criteria,” wrote the bishops. “However, we remain apprehensive when amendments protecting freedom of conscience and ensuring no taxpayer money for abortion are defeated in committee votes.”
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has advocated for health care reform for decades. The bishops wrote that “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.”
The full text of the letter can be found online at: www.usccb.org/sdwp/national/2009-10-08-healthcare-letter-congress.pdf
USCCB: Senate Committee Addresses Some Issues, Failies to Correct Abortion Problems and Immigration Concerns
WASHINGTON—
Officials of the United States Conference of Catholic
Bishops (USCCB) saw mixed results when the Senate
Finance Committee completed voting on amendment to
its proposed health care reform bill this week.
In a recent letter to the Senate, the USCCB had called for improvements in the bill to meet the bishops’ key criteria for genuine health care reform: protecting life and dignity, affordability, and inclusion of immigrants. For the text of this letter see www.usccb.org/sdwp/national/2009-09-30-healthcare-letter-senate.pdf.
The Committee rejected pro-life amendments offered by Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) which the USCCB supported. One amendment would write into this bill the abortion funding policy that has long governed all federal health programs: no federal subsidies for benefits packages that cover abortion, with rare exceptions; insurers could offer supplemental abortion policies if they were funded solely by the private premiums of those choosing to purchase them. Another amendment would forbid federal agencies, and state and local governments receiving federal funds under this bill, to discriminate against health care providers that decline to perform, refer for, or pay for abortions.
“The bill remains deeply flawed on these issues and must be corrected,” said Richard Doerflinger, Associate Director of the USCCB’s Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities. “It is especially disheartening that the Senate committee would not even support longstanding conscience language on abortion that has already been accepted as part of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s health care reform bill.”
The USCCB’s recent letter had said that “so far, the health reform bills considered in committee, including the new Senate Finance Committee bill, have not met President Obama’s challenge of barring use of federal dollars for abortion and maintaining current conscience laws.” Doerflinger said this remains true, so “these problems must be corrected on the House and Senate floor.”
On affordability, Kathy Saile, Director of Domestic Social Development for the USCCB, said the bill took some steps toward making health care more affordable, but that “many families are still vulnerable to high health care costs. As Congress continues to debate health care reform, it should take further steps to help at-risk poor and low-income families and implement access as soon as possible.” As an example, Saile said, “Expansion of access to programs such as Medicaid should be implemented as soon as possible.”
On inclusion of immigrants, the Committee defeated amendments opposed by the USCCB, which would have placed additional restrictions on legal immigrants and their families from accessing health-care, but failed to improve the access immigrants currently have.
“Legal immigrants, who work hard and pay taxes, should be treated equally with U.S. citizens,” said Kevin Appleby, director of Migration Policy and Public Affairs for the USCCB. “It is counterproductive to the general public health to leave them outside of the system, unable to access preventive treatment and dependent on emergency care. The U.S. bishops will continue to push for affordability grants to legal immigrants and their families and a removal of the five-year waiting period for legal immigrants to access Medicaid.”
For more information on the U.S. bishops’ position on health care reform, visit www.usccb.org/healthcare.
In a recent letter to the Senate, the USCCB had called for improvements in the bill to meet the bishops’ key criteria for genuine health care reform: protecting life and dignity, affordability, and inclusion of immigrants. For the text of this letter see www.usccb.org/sdwp/national/2009-09-30-healthcare-letter-senate.pdf.
The Committee rejected pro-life amendments offered by Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) which the USCCB supported. One amendment would write into this bill the abortion funding policy that has long governed all federal health programs: no federal subsidies for benefits packages that cover abortion, with rare exceptions; insurers could offer supplemental abortion policies if they were funded solely by the private premiums of those choosing to purchase them. Another amendment would forbid federal agencies, and state and local governments receiving federal funds under this bill, to discriminate against health care providers that decline to perform, refer for, or pay for abortions.
“The bill remains deeply flawed on these issues and must be corrected,” said Richard Doerflinger, Associate Director of the USCCB’s Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities. “It is especially disheartening that the Senate committee would not even support longstanding conscience language on abortion that has already been accepted as part of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s health care reform bill.”
The USCCB’s recent letter had said that “so far, the health reform bills considered in committee, including the new Senate Finance Committee bill, have not met President Obama’s challenge of barring use of federal dollars for abortion and maintaining current conscience laws.” Doerflinger said this remains true, so “these problems must be corrected on the House and Senate floor.”
On affordability, Kathy Saile, Director of Domestic Social Development for the USCCB, said the bill took some steps toward making health care more affordable, but that “many families are still vulnerable to high health care costs. As Congress continues to debate health care reform, it should take further steps to help at-risk poor and low-income families and implement access as soon as possible.” As an example, Saile said, “Expansion of access to programs such as Medicaid should be implemented as soon as possible.”
On inclusion of immigrants, the Committee defeated amendments opposed by the USCCB, which would have placed additional restrictions on legal immigrants and their families from accessing health-care, but failed to improve the access immigrants currently have.
“Legal immigrants, who work hard and pay taxes, should be treated equally with U.S. citizens,” said Kevin Appleby, director of Migration Policy and Public Affairs for the USCCB. “It is counterproductive to the general public health to leave them outside of the system, unable to access preventive treatment and dependent on emergency care. The U.S. bishops will continue to push for affordability grants to legal immigrants and their families and a removal of the five-year waiting period for legal immigrants to access Medicaid.”
For more information on the U.S. bishops’ position on health care reform, visit www.usccb.org/healthcare.
UPDATE: Committee Rejects PL Amendments; Thank Conrad for Vote
The
Sentate Finance Committee yesterday rejected
Senator Orrin Hatch's pro-life and
conscience protection amendments
to
the health care reform bill.
Senator Kent Conrad voted in favor of the amendments. Please contact Senator Conrad and thank him for his vote in favor of the Hatch amendments on abortion funding and conscience protection. Hearing from constituents will help solidify his support if the full Senate votes on the same amendments.
Senator Conrad also voted in favor of restoring funding for abstinence education. The committee approved that amendment.
Senator Kent Conrad
Washington: (202) 224-2043
Bismarck: (701) 258-4648
Toll Free: 1-800-223-4457
Fargo: Telephone: (701) 232-8030
Grand Forks: Telephone: (701) 775-9601
Minot: Telephone: (701) 852-0703
http://conrad.senate.gov/contact/webform.cfm
Senator Kent Conrad voted in favor of the amendments. Please contact Senator Conrad and thank him for his vote in favor of the Hatch amendments on abortion funding and conscience protection. Hearing from constituents will help solidify his support if the full Senate votes on the same amendments.
Senator Conrad also voted in favor of restoring funding for abstinence education. The committee approved that amendment.
Senator Kent Conrad
Washington: (202) 224-2043
Bismarck: (701) 258-4648
Toll Free: 1-800-223-4457
Fargo: Telephone: (701) 232-8030
Grand Forks: Telephone: (701) 775-9601
Minot: Telephone: (701) 852-0703
http://conrad.senate.gov/contact/webform.cfm
U.S. Bishops Raise Concerns Over Health Care, the Protection of Life, Immigrants and Affordability in Letter to Senate
U.S. Bishops Raise Concerns Over Health Care, the
Protection of Life, Immigrants and Affordability in
Letter to Senate
WASHINGTON—Three U.S. bishops raised their concerns over human life and dignity, immigrants and affordability in a September 30 letter to the U.S. Senate. Cardinal Justin Rigali, Bishop William Murphy and Bishop John Wester chair the Committees on Pro-Life Activities, Domestic Justice and Human Development, and Migration, respectively, for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
“Our Catholic moral tradition teaches that health care is a basic human right, essential to protecting human life and dignity,” the bishops wrote. “These moral principles and our everyday experience lead us to work for three central priorities for health care reform.”
The bishops outlined three criteria that need special attention as legislation moves forward: respect for life and dignity, affordability, and inclusion of immigrants.
“Health care reform legislation should reflect longstanding and widely supported current policies on abortion funding, mandates and conscience protections because they represent sound morality, wise policy and political reality,” the bishops wrote. “So far the health reform bills considered in committee, including the new Senate Finance Committee bill, have not met President Obama’s challenge of barring use of federal dollars for abortion and maintaining current conscience laws. These deficiencies must be corrected.”
On affordability, the bishops criticized the Senate Finance Committee bill for it “would impose financial burdens on low-income and moderate-income families and those families with significant and chronic illnesses.” They urged Congress to support measures that would help low-income families, including further limiting premium costs and other out of pocket expenses for all citizens and legal immigrants.
“The Catholic bishops renew our appeal to provide equity for legal immigrants in access to health care,” the letter said. “Immigrants pay the same taxes as citizens and their health needs cannot be ignored. Leaving them outside a reformed system is both unfair and unwise,” the bishops concluded.
The full text of the bishops’ letter can be found online at: www.usccb.org/sdwp/national/2009-09-30-healthcare-letter-senate.pdf
WASHINGTON—Three U.S. bishops raised their concerns over human life and dignity, immigrants and affordability in a September 30 letter to the U.S. Senate. Cardinal Justin Rigali, Bishop William Murphy and Bishop John Wester chair the Committees on Pro-Life Activities, Domestic Justice and Human Development, and Migration, respectively, for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
“Our Catholic moral tradition teaches that health care is a basic human right, essential to protecting human life and dignity,” the bishops wrote. “These moral principles and our everyday experience lead us to work for three central priorities for health care reform.”
The bishops outlined three criteria that need special attention as legislation moves forward: respect for life and dignity, affordability, and inclusion of immigrants.
“Health care reform legislation should reflect longstanding and widely supported current policies on abortion funding, mandates and conscience protections because they represent sound morality, wise policy and political reality,” the bishops wrote. “So far the health reform bills considered in committee, including the new Senate Finance Committee bill, have not met President Obama’s challenge of barring use of federal dollars for abortion and maintaining current conscience laws. These deficiencies must be corrected.”
On affordability, the bishops criticized the Senate Finance Committee bill for it “would impose financial burdens on low-income and moderate-income families and those families with significant and chronic illnesses.” They urged Congress to support measures that would help low-income families, including further limiting premium costs and other out of pocket expenses for all citizens and legal immigrants.
“The Catholic bishops renew our appeal to provide equity for legal immigrants in access to health care,” the letter said. “Immigrants pay the same taxes as citizens and their health needs cannot be ignored. Leaving them outside a reformed system is both unfair and unwise,” the bishops concluded.
The full text of the bishops’ letter can be found online at: www.usccb.org/sdwp/national/2009-09-30-healthcare-letter-senate.pdf
Respect Life Sunday Statement
09/30/2009 12:36 PM Filed in: Abortion
|Health Care
www.usccb.org/prolife/programs/rlp/09rigali-stmt.pdf.
| In
a statement to mark Respect Life Sunday,
October 4, Cardinal Justin Rigali of
Philadelphia called attention to those who
are most vulnerable in recent debates on
health care reform – the unborn, the
poor, the elderly and the immigrant –
and called upon Catholics to “examine
how well we, as a nation and individually,
are living up to our obligation to protect
the rights of those who, due to age,
dependency, poverty or other circumstances,
are at risk of their very lives.”
Cardinal Rigali chairs the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Cardinal Rigali noted that the lives of the unborn are those most at risk in America and “despite the opposition of 67% of Americans to taxpayer-funded abortion, all current health care proposals being considered by Congress would allow or mandate abortion funding, either through premiums paid into government programs or out of federal revenues.” Noting that the unborn are not alone in being under attack in current proposals, Cardinal Rigali called for health care that recognizes the humanity of the immigrant. “How can a just society deny basic health care to those living and working among us who need medical attention? It cannot and must not,” he said. Cardinal Rigali also addressed a dangerous and false cultural attitude that some persons are not worth protecting because of their perceived “low quality of life.” He stated that “death is not a solution to life’s problems. Only those who are blind to the transcendent reality and meaning of human life could support killing human beings to mitigate economic, social or environmental problems.” “The antidote to such myopia is to recover an appreciation for the sanctity and dignity of each unique human being,” he said. Begun in 1972, the Respect Life Program stresses the value and dignity of human life. It is observed in the 195 Catholic dioceses in the United States. This year's theme is "Every Child Brings Us God’s Smile.” The full statement follows and may be found online at |
Ask Senator Conrad to Restore Abstinence Education Funding
09/28/2009 01:56 PM
As one of the
amendments to the Senate Finance Committee's health
care reform bill, Senator Orrin Hatch will
introduced an amendment to reinstate Title V
Abstinence Education funding for FY2010.
Without restoration of this funding, important
abstinence work in North Dakota will be
jeopardized.
Call Senator Conrad's office and urge him to support Senator Hatch's amendment to restore abstinence education funding.
Senator Kent Conrad
Washington: (202) 224-2043
Bismarck: (701) 258-4648
Toll Free: 1-800-223-4457
Fargo: Telephone: (701) 232-8030
Grand Forks: Telephone: (701) 775-9601
Minot: Telephone: (701) 852-0703
http://conrad.senate.gov/contact/webform.cfm
Call Senator Conrad's office and urge him to support Senator Hatch's amendment to restore abstinence education funding.
Senator Kent Conrad
Washington: (202) 224-2043
Bismarck: (701) 258-4648
Toll Free: 1-800-223-4457
Fargo: Telephone: (701) 232-8030
Grand Forks: Telephone: (701) 775-9601
Minot: Telephone: (701) 852-0703
http://conrad.senate.gov/contact/webform.cfm
Register Now for the Health Care Reform Conference
09/28/2009 01:55 PM Filed in: Health Care
Health Care Reform
Questions and Answers
Questions and Answers
The
annual meeting of North Dakota's Catholic Health Care
Providers will focus on health care reform.
Keynote speaker is Kathy Curran, Senior
Director of Public Policy for the Catholic Health
Association.
October 15, 2009
St.
Alexius Medical Center
Workshop
will begin at 9 am and conclude by 3
pm
Go
here for more information or register
online!
Still Time to Contact Conrad on Health Care Reform Amendments
The Senate Finance
Committee will start work again tommorrow (Tuesday,
September 29.) There is still time to contact Senator
Conrad and urge him to vote for the Enzi and Hatch
amendments to the health care reform bill.
Get the action alert
here.
Action Alert: Fix Pro-Life Provisions of Senate Finance Bill -REVISED
09/23/2009 06:37 PM Filed in: Health Care
|Abortion
On September 22, the
Senate Finance Committee, which includes Senator Kent
Conrad, began markup of its health care reform bill,
America’s Healthy Future Act. The bill is
written in a descriptive or conceptual form and was
introduced by committee chairman Sen. Max Baucus
(D-MT) as the chairman’s Mark.
Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Michael Enzi (R-WY) have submitted amendments to correct flaws in the chairman’s Mark on abortion and conscience rights. It is especially important that the following amendments be supported:
1. Hatch Amendment #C14: Abortion Funding Prohibition. The Mark authorizes federal tax credit subsidies for private health benefits packages that cover elective abortion. Everyone purchasing such a package would be required to pay a surcharge to help pay for others’ abortions. This is contrary to longstanding federal policy, including the Federal Employees’ Health Benefits Program, where benefits packages with elective abortion may not receive federal support. Hatch Amendment #C14 prohibits federal funds authorized or appropriated in the Mark from being used for abortion and the cost of plans that cover abortion, except to save the mother’s life, or in cases of rape or incest. Insurers wanting to offer broader abortion coverage may do so only in a supplemental policy funded solely by the private premiums of those who choose to purchase it. This policy has worked in North Dakota for decades. Urge Senator Conrad to support this amendment because it reflects the wishes of North Dakotans and the policy of our state.
2. Hatch Amendment #C13: Nondiscrimination on Abortion. The Mark lacks a provision in current law that prevents government bodies receiving federal funds from discriminating against health care providers who decline involvement in abortion (Weldon Amendment). Hatch Amendment #C13 states that a federal agency or program, or state or local government receiving federal funds under this Act, may not discriminate against individual or institutional health care providers that decline to perform, refer for, or pay for abortion. Identical language has already been approved as part of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s version of the health care reform bill, H.R. 3200.
3. Enzi Amendment #C15: Respect for Moral and Religious Convictions. The Mark does not apply longstanding federal policies on conscience rights in health care to this new program. Enzi Amendment #C15 ensures that governmental bodies receiving funds under this bill may not discriminate against health care providers who do not provide specific items or services to which they have a moral or religious objection. This amendment respects conscience and religious freedom beyond the abortion context.
ACTION: Contact Senator Kent Conrad through e-mail, phone calls, or FAX letters.
MESSAGE: “Support the Hatch and Enzi Amendments on abortion funding and conscience rights. Give us health care reform that respects the life and conscience of all!”
WHEN: The Senate Finance Committee began markup on September 22. Please act immediately! Thanks!
WHERE:
Senator Kent Conrad
Washington: (202) 224-2043
Bismarck: (701) 258-4648
Toll Free: 1-800-223-4457
Fargo: Telephone: (701) 232-8030
Grand Forks: Telephone: (701) 775-9601
Minot: Telephone: (701) 852-0703
Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Michael Enzi (R-WY) have submitted amendments to correct flaws in the chairman’s Mark on abortion and conscience rights. It is especially important that the following amendments be supported:
1. Hatch Amendment #C14: Abortion Funding Prohibition. The Mark authorizes federal tax credit subsidies for private health benefits packages that cover elective abortion. Everyone purchasing such a package would be required to pay a surcharge to help pay for others’ abortions. This is contrary to longstanding federal policy, including the Federal Employees’ Health Benefits Program, where benefits packages with elective abortion may not receive federal support. Hatch Amendment #C14 prohibits federal funds authorized or appropriated in the Mark from being used for abortion and the cost of plans that cover abortion, except to save the mother’s life, or in cases of rape or incest. Insurers wanting to offer broader abortion coverage may do so only in a supplemental policy funded solely by the private premiums of those who choose to purchase it. This policy has worked in North Dakota for decades. Urge Senator Conrad to support this amendment because it reflects the wishes of North Dakotans and the policy of our state.
2. Hatch Amendment #C13: Nondiscrimination on Abortion. The Mark lacks a provision in current law that prevents government bodies receiving federal funds from discriminating against health care providers who decline involvement in abortion (Weldon Amendment). Hatch Amendment #C13 states that a federal agency or program, or state or local government receiving federal funds under this Act, may not discriminate against individual or institutional health care providers that decline to perform, refer for, or pay for abortion. Identical language has already been approved as part of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s version of the health care reform bill, H.R. 3200.
3. Enzi Amendment #C15: Respect for Moral and Religious Convictions. The Mark does not apply longstanding federal policies on conscience rights in health care to this new program. Enzi Amendment #C15 ensures that governmental bodies receiving funds under this bill may not discriminate against health care providers who do not provide specific items or services to which they have a moral or religious objection. This amendment respects conscience and religious freedom beyond the abortion context.
ACTION: Contact Senator Kent Conrad through e-mail, phone calls, or FAX letters.
MESSAGE: “Support the Hatch and Enzi Amendments on abortion funding and conscience rights. Give us health care reform that respects the life and conscience of all!”
WHEN: The Senate Finance Committee began markup on September 22. Please act immediately! Thanks!
WHERE:
Senator Kent Conrad
Washington: (202) 224-2043
Bismarck: (701) 258-4648
Toll Free: 1-800-223-4457
Fargo: Telephone: (701) 232-8030
Grand Forks: Telephone: (701) 775-9601
Minot: Telephone: (701) 852-0703
New Survey: Most Americans Want Health Care Reform, Oppose Abortion Coverage
09/22/2009 02:32 PM Filed in: Health Care
Sixty-eight percent do not want abortion coverage in their own policy, whether public or private
Sixty-three percent favor keeping conscience protection laws
WASHINGTON—A nationwide survey commissioned by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has found widespread public opposition to including abortion in health care reform and majority support for conscience rights protection – views shared by those who favor efforts to pass health care reform.
Conducted by International Communications Research (ICR) from September 16-20, 2009, the phone survey of 1,043 U.S. adults found that 60 percent favor – and only thirty percent oppose – “efforts to pass health care reform to provide affordable health insurance for all.” Focusing on that sixty percent, the survey found that:
-
Sixty percent of those favoring reform oppose – and only 25 percent support – “measures that would require people to pay for abortion coverage with their federal taxes.” -
By a 49-39 percent plurality, those who favor reform oppose “measures that would require people to pay for abortion coverage with their health insurance premiums”; and -
Among those favoring reform, those who favor maintaining “current federal laws that protect doctors and nurses from being forced to perform or refer for abortions against their will” outnumber those who oppose keeping such laws in place by a margin of two to one (60-30).
Opposition to abortion coverage was somewhat stronger in the total sample of U.S. adults – for example, 67 percent 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.
The survey also asked: “If the choice were up to you, would you want your own insurance policy to include abortion?” Sixty-eight percent of U.S. adults said ‘No’ and only 24 percent said ‘Yes.’
“The USCCB survey confirms other recent polls conducted by Public Opinion Strategies (August 30-September 1) and Rasmussen Reports (September 14-15) on health care policy and abortion,” said Deirdre McQuade, Assistant Director for Policy & Communications at the USCCB’s Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities. “With each passing week it gets clearer: The American public generally does not want to pay for abortion coverage and does not want health care reform used to promote abortion,” she said.
“Abortion is not health care. The bishops of the United States are working hard to ensure that health care reform serves the most vulnerable among us – especially the poor, immigrants, and the unborn,” McQuade said.
For more information on the U.S. bishops’ position on health care reform, visitwww.usccb.org/healthcare.
Survey Methodology
ICR / International Communications Research, based in the Philadelphia suburb of Media, PA, is a top-ranked and nationally recognized market research organization. ICR fielded this study in their national, weekly EXCEL Omnibus telephone survey on behalf of the USCCB from September 16-20, 2009, interviewing a nationwide sample of 1,043 adults aged 18 and older. EXCEL is weighted to provide nationally representative and projectable estimates of the population ages 18+. At a 95 percent level of confidence, the margin of error for this sample of 1,043 is +/-3.0 percent. A full methodology and profile of the pollster are available upon request.
|
Two to one: U.S. adults favor ‘reform to provide affordable health insurance for all’ |
State Abortion Numbers
09/22/2009 12:35 PM Filed in: Abortion
The North Dakota
Department of Health has released data on abortions
performed in the state in 2008. You can download the
report here. We'll post more analyses of
the data in coming days.
Officials Welcome President Obama’s Statements On Abortion, Care For The Poor
09/10/2009 11:38 AM Filed in: Health Care
WASHINGTON—Calling it an
important contribution to a crucial national debate,
officials speaking on behalf of the United States
Conference of Catholic Bishops welcomed President
Obama’s September 9 address on health care
reform, particularly his statements regarding
abortion and the uninsured.
“We agree that ‘no one should go broke because they get sick,’” said Kathy Saile, Director of Domestic Social Development at the USCCB. “That’s why the U.S. Bishops have worked for decades for decent health care for all. The Catholic Church provides health care for millions, purchases health care, picks up the pieces of a failing health system, and has a long tradition of teaching on ethics in health care. Health care reform that respects the life and dignity of all is a moral imperative and urgent national priority. We welcome the President's speech as an important contribution to this essential national debate and task.”
“We especially welcome the President's commitment to exclude federal funding of abortion, and to maintain existing federal laws protecting conscience rights in health care,” said Richard Doerflinger, Associate Director of Pro-Life Activities at the USCCB. “We believe that incorporating essential and longstanding federal laws on these issues into any new proposal will strengthen support for health care reform. We will work with Congress and the Administration to ensure that these protections are clearly reflected in new legislation, so no one is required to pay for or take part in abortion as a result of health care reform.”
“We agree with the President that there are details that need to be ironed out,” said Saile. “And with his address last night, we see the opportunity to work towards 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. We also see the possibility of meeting the bishops’ goal to pursue the common good and preserve pluralism, including freedom of conscience and a variety of options, and restraining costs and applying them equitably across the spectrum of payers.”
“We agree that ‘no one should go broke because they get sick,’” said Kathy Saile, Director of Domestic Social Development at the USCCB. “That’s why the U.S. Bishops have worked for decades for decent health care for all. The Catholic Church provides health care for millions, purchases health care, picks up the pieces of a failing health system, and has a long tradition of teaching on ethics in health care. Health care reform that respects the life and dignity of all is a moral imperative and urgent national priority. We welcome the President's speech as an important contribution to this essential national debate and task.”
“We especially welcome the President's commitment to exclude federal funding of abortion, and to maintain existing federal laws protecting conscience rights in health care,” said Richard Doerflinger, Associate Director of Pro-Life Activities at the USCCB. “We believe that incorporating essential and longstanding federal laws on these issues into any new proposal will strengthen support for health care reform. We will work with Congress and the Administration to ensure that these protections are clearly reflected in new legislation, so no one is required to pay for or take part in abortion as a result of health care reform.”
“We agree with the President that there are details that need to be ironed out,” said Saile. “And with his address last night, we see the opportunity to work towards 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. We also see the possibility of meeting the bishops’ goal to pursue the common good and preserve pluralism, including freedom of conscience and a variety of options, and restraining costs and applying them equitably across the spectrum of payers.”
Seeing Imaginary Divisions
09/09/2009 11:53 AM Filed in: Health Care
The New York Times last
week published a story attempting to portray the U.S.
bishops as divided on health care reform. The story
contained a number of inaccuracies. Some of which
were later corrected by the paper. Others have been
set straight by Our Sunday Visitor
here and here, a letter from
Bishop Murphy and Cardinal Rigali
printed here, and the USCCB Media
blog.
Unfortunately, Catholic bloggers making the same mistakes, claiming that bishops are lining up in opposition to health care reform.
At the heart of all these misinterpretations of bishop statements is the mistaken belief that emphasis of one particular issue or teaching, excludes all other issues and teachings. A fundamental principle of Catholic social teaching is that it is not divisible. Thus, an emphasis on subsidiarity does mean that there is no solidarity. An emphasis on the protection of human life does not mean that there is no preferential option for the poor and so on.
Unfortunately, Catholic bloggers making the same mistakes, claiming that bishops are lining up in opposition to health care reform.
At the heart of all these misinterpretations of bishop statements is the mistaken belief that emphasis of one particular issue or teaching, excludes all other issues and teachings. A fundamental principle of Catholic social teaching is that it is not divisible. Thus, an emphasis on subsidiarity does mean that there is no solidarity. An emphasis on the protection of human life does not mean that there is no preferential option for the poor and so on.
Abortion and Health Care - plus ça change, plus c'est pareil ?
09/02/2009 03:31 PM Filed in: Health Care
|Abortion
Efforts to include
abortion funding and mandates threaten to derail
genuine reform. We faced this problem before. North
Dakota Catholic Conference executive director,
Christopher Dodson wrote the this
column in January of
1993 for the
Inland Catholic. It is reprinted
here
with permission from
the Diocese of San Bernardino.
Annual Labor Day Statement
09/02/2009 03:29 PM Filed in: Economic
Justice
Bishop William F.
Murphy of Rockville Centre, N.Y., Chairman of the
Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development,
has released the 2009 annual Labor Day statement,
“The Value of Work; the Dignity of
the Human Person.” The bishop highlights
the centrality of the worker in economic life as
it is expressed by Pope Benedict XVI in his new
encyclical Caritas in Veritate.
Bishop Murphy also focuses on the recent agreement between leaders in Catholic health care, the labor movement, and the Catholic bishops to develop practical guidelines on how leaders of hospitals, unions, and others might apply Catholic principles in reaching agreements in their own situations. (To read the agreement, click here)
Finally, the Labor Day Statement touches on the principles of the Church’s social teaching found in the issues of health care and immigration.
Bishop Murphy also focuses on the recent agreement between leaders in Catholic health care, the labor movement, and the Catholic bishops to develop practical guidelines on how leaders of hospitals, unions, and others might apply Catholic principles in reaching agreements in their own situations. (To read the agreement, click here)
Finally, the Labor Day Statement touches on the principles of the Church’s social teaching found in the issues of health care and immigration.
Virtue of Temperance
09/02/2009 03:28 PM Filed in: Editorials
The final
installment of editorials looking at the cardinal
virtues and the making of public policy
has been posted.
Health Care Reform: Questions and Answers - Annual Conference
09/02/2009 12:23 PM Filed in: Health Care
The North Dakota
Catholic Conference's Annual Conference for Catholic
Health Care Providers is October 15, 2009 in
Bismarck.
The keynote address is "Health Care Reform: Questions and Answers" by Jeff Tieman, Senior Director of Health Reform Initiatives for the Catholic Health Association.
Go here to find out more and get registration information.
Register Online!
The public is invited.
The keynote address is "Health Care Reform: Questions and Answers" by Jeff Tieman, Senior Director of Health Reform Initiatives for the Catholic Health Association.
Go here to find out more and get registration information.
Register Online!
The public is invited.
Two Bishops - Two Letters - One Teaching
09/01/2009 12:03 PM Filed in: Health Care
|Editorials
Within days of each
other, both bishops of North Dakota issued letters to
their priests and the faithful of their respective
dioceses on health care reform.
The
bishops did not coordinate the timing of the
letters. The fact that both bishops released
letters at this time, however, is not
surprising. The debate over health care reform
had reached high intensity when members of
Congress went home for the “August
recess.” Health care reform activity
shifted to the states.
Much of the activity focused on North Dakota in particular. Each member of the state’s congressional delegation is considered important to the outcome of health care reform legislation and Senator Kent Conrad is one of just six senators charged with developing legislation for consideration by the Senate.
As Bishop Paul A. Zipfel stated in his letter: “At the heart of the matter, the question of whether to reform our health care system and how to do it is a moral issue.” After all, health care reform touches upon questions of abortion, religious liberty, care for the poor and the immigrant, the role of government, and the stewardship of precious resources. As spiritual leaders and shepherds of the Church, the bishops have something to say on this important issue. Political developments led both of them to conclude that this was the right time.
Although parts of the letters emphasize different aspects of Catholic teaching with regards to how they apply to the question of health care reform, both letters reflect on the one Teaching of the Church.
Both bishops affirm the centrality of human life. Bishop Samuel A. Aquila writes, “Any attempt to provide greater access to health care without safeguarding human life from the moment of conception is inherently inconsistent” and the "killing of unborn children through abortion or as a means to do research has nothing to do with promoting health.” Citing Caritas in Veritate and Evangelium Vitae, Bishop Aquila notes the “clear the teaching of the Church that the destruction of human life by abortion and other evils can never be a neutral question or one that is promoted by any faithful Catholic.” Bishop Zipfel writes that health care legislation must “expressly and specifically prohibit any agency from funding abortion, mandating abortion coverage, or preempting state laws on abortion coverage.”
Both bishops affirm the need for reform that truly expands health care coverage to all. Bishop Zipfel states: “Catholic teaching insists that basic health care is a right and is essential to protect human life and dignity. Health care reform that protects human life and advances universal coverage is a moral imperative and urgent national priority.” Bishop Aquila writes: “Access to health care ought to be available to all people, including the poor, legal immigrants, the handicapped, and especially the elderly and unborn members of society.”
Both bishops call for real conscience protection. Bishop Zipfel states that any health care reform proposal must include protection for health care providers. Bishop Aquila expands on the subject, noting the importance of legal protection of conscience not just for health care providers, but also for other participants in the delivery and financing of health care.
Both bishops urge reform that includes legal immigrants. In Catholic teaching, health care should not depend on where you are from. The call for inclusion of legal immigrants reflects a priority of USCCB. Bishop Zipfel reminds us that “Legal immigrants pay taxes and contribute to the U.S. economy and social life in the same manner as U.S. citizens do. Moreover, since health care is a basic human right having access to it should not depend on where you were born.” Bishop Aquila’s letter mentions the same need twice, noting that care for the legal immigrants cannot be overlooked for utilitarian reasons. In Catholic teaching, health care should not depend on where you are from.
Both bishops call for a system a system that respects the different segments and entities in a strong health care system. Reaffirming the position of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Bishop Zipfel calls for pursuing the common good and preserving pluralism that includes variety of options and restrains costs equitably across the spectrum of payers. Bishop Aquila ties this same concept to the Church’s teaching on subsidiarity. Subsidiarity is the principle that states “a community of a higher order should not interfere in the internal life of a community of a lower order, depriving the latter of its functions, but rather should support it in case of need” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1883). According to the classic principle of subsidiarity in Catholic social thought, many different communities within society share responsibility for the common good. “Honoring the principle of subsidiarity will enable all men and women to be true participants in contributing to the goal of providing greater access to health care,” writes Bishop Aquila.
Even as they affirm the same principles, the two bishops provide different reflections. Bishop Aquila, for example, reflects on the duties of Catholics to form their conscience on such matters to the natural law. Bishop Zipfel focuses more on the priorities for reform at this present time.
Both bishops have something to offer to all Catholics of North Dakota on this fundamentally moral issue.
Read the letter of Bishop Paul A. Zipfel, Bishop of Bismarck
Read the letter of Bishop Samuel J. Aquila, Bishop of Fargo
The
bishops did not coordinate the timing of the
letters. The fact that both bishops released
letters at this time, however, is not
surprising. The debate over health care reform
had reached high intensity when members of
Congress went home for the “August
recess.” Health care reform activity
shifted to the states.
Much of the activity focused on North Dakota in particular. Each member of the state’s congressional delegation is considered important to the outcome of health care reform legislation and Senator Kent Conrad is one of just six senators charged with developing legislation for consideration by the Senate.
As Bishop Paul A. Zipfel stated in his letter: “At the heart of the matter, the question of whether to reform our health care system and how to do it is a moral issue.” After all, health care reform touches upon questions of abortion, religious liberty, care for the poor and the immigrant, the role of government, and the stewardship of precious resources. As spiritual leaders and shepherds of the Church, the bishops have something to say on this important issue. Political developments led both of them to conclude that this was the right time.
Although parts of the letters emphasize different aspects of Catholic teaching with regards to how they apply to the question of health care reform, both letters reflect on the one Teaching of the Church.
Both bishops affirm the centrality of human life. Bishop Samuel A. Aquila writes, “Any attempt to provide greater access to health care without safeguarding human life from the moment of conception is inherently inconsistent” and the "killing of unborn children through abortion or as a means to do research has nothing to do with promoting health.” Citing Caritas in Veritate and Evangelium Vitae, Bishop Aquila notes the “clear the teaching of the Church that the destruction of human life by abortion and other evils can never be a neutral question or one that is promoted by any faithful Catholic.” Bishop Zipfel writes that health care legislation must “expressly and specifically prohibit any agency from funding abortion, mandating abortion coverage, or preempting state laws on abortion coverage.”
Both bishops affirm the need for reform that truly expands health care coverage to all. Bishop Zipfel states: “Catholic teaching insists that basic health care is a right and is essential to protect human life and dignity. Health care reform that protects human life and advances universal coverage is a moral imperative and urgent national priority.” Bishop Aquila writes: “Access to health care ought to be available to all people, including the poor, legal immigrants, the handicapped, and especially the elderly and unborn members of society.”
Both bishops call for real conscience protection. Bishop Zipfel states that any health care reform proposal must include protection for health care providers. Bishop Aquila expands on the subject, noting the importance of legal protection of conscience not just for health care providers, but also for other participants in the delivery and financing of health care.
Both bishops urge reform that includes legal immigrants. In Catholic teaching, health care should not depend on where you are from. The call for inclusion of legal immigrants reflects a priority of USCCB. Bishop Zipfel reminds us that “Legal immigrants pay taxes and contribute to the U.S. economy and social life in the same manner as U.S. citizens do. Moreover, since health care is a basic human right having access to it should not depend on where you were born.” Bishop Aquila’s letter mentions the same need twice, noting that care for the legal immigrants cannot be overlooked for utilitarian reasons. In Catholic teaching, health care should not depend on where you are from.
Both bishops call for a system a system that respects the different segments and entities in a strong health care system. Reaffirming the position of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Bishop Zipfel calls for pursuing the common good and preserving pluralism that includes variety of options and restrains costs equitably across the spectrum of payers. Bishop Aquila ties this same concept to the Church’s teaching on subsidiarity. Subsidiarity is the principle that states “a community of a higher order should not interfere in the internal life of a community of a lower order, depriving the latter of its functions, but rather should support it in case of need” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1883). According to the classic principle of subsidiarity in Catholic social thought, many different communities within society share responsibility for the common good. “Honoring the principle of subsidiarity will enable all men and women to be true participants in contributing to the goal of providing greater access to health care,” writes Bishop Aquila.
Even as they affirm the same principles, the two bishops provide different reflections. Bishop Aquila, for example, reflects on the duties of Catholics to form their conscience on such matters to the natural law. Bishop Zipfel focuses more on the priorities for reform at this present time.
Both bishops have something to offer to all Catholics of North Dakota on this fundamentally moral issue.
Read the letter of Bishop Paul A. Zipfel, Bishop of Bismarck
Read the letter of Bishop Samuel J. Aquila, Bishop of Fargo
Bishop Zipfel on Health Care Reform
08/31/2009 02:46 PM Filed in: Health Care
The Most Reverend Paul
A. Zipfel, Bishop of the Diocese of Bismarck, has
sent a letter in support of healthcare reform and,
among other things, taking a strong stand against
federal funding for abortion. "At the heart of the
matter, the question of whether to reform our health
care system and how to do it is a moral issue" writes
the bishop. Read it here.
Diocese of Fargo Bishop Calls Upon Catholics to Consider Four Principles for Health Care Reform
08/31/2009 11:12 AM Filed in: Health Care
In an
Aug. 28
letter,
Most Rev. Samuel J. Aquila, bishop of the Catholic
Diocese of Fargo, encouraged priests, deacons,
religious sisters and parishioners to
“become engaged in promoting genuine health
care reform” and presented four principles
upon which the “moral value and justice of a
given plan to provide health care” should be
evaluated.
Health care plans must exclude any “provisions for actions which deny the dignity of human life, especially abortion, euthanasia, whether passive or active, and embryonic stem cell research”, he wrote. Second, “freedom of consciences” for both health professionals and the general public must be safeguarded. Third, access to health care “ought to be available to all people” and fourth, the principle of subsidiarity must govern any health care plan.
On why health care reform cannot include abortion, Bishop Aquila wrote, “any attempt to provide greater access to health care without safeguarding human life from the moment of conception is inherently inconsistent” and that “the destruction of human life by abortion and other evils can never be a neutral question or one that is promoted by any faithful Catholic.”
Bishop Aquila noted that conscience protection is important for everyone: health care professionals as well as participants in health care plans. Concerning the general public, he wrote “In no way should taxpayers or policy holders be forced to participate in plans, whether private or public, which fund procedures that violate the moral precepts of the faith.”
Genuine reform, wrote Bishop Aquila, also means access for all. He noted that “finding ways to provide medical care to those who have none is a perennial priority for the Church” and that “we must ensure that the poor, the elderly, the handicapped, legal immigrants and the unborn, together with all citizens of our nation, have access to health care.”
Citing the Church’s teaching on subsidiarity, Bishop Aquila wrote that a diversity of social entities share the responsibility of ensuring access to health care, noting that “these various strands of community life within society build up a strong and cohesive social fabric that is the hallmark of a true communion of persons.”
Health care plans must exclude any “provisions for actions which deny the dignity of human life, especially abortion, euthanasia, whether passive or active, and embryonic stem cell research”, he wrote. Second, “freedom of consciences” for both health professionals and the general public must be safeguarded. Third, access to health care “ought to be available to all people” and fourth, the principle of subsidiarity must govern any health care plan.
On why health care reform cannot include abortion, Bishop Aquila wrote, “any attempt to provide greater access to health care without safeguarding human life from the moment of conception is inherently inconsistent” and that “the destruction of human life by abortion and other evils can never be a neutral question or one that is promoted by any faithful Catholic.”
Bishop Aquila noted that conscience protection is important for everyone: health care professionals as well as participants in health care plans. Concerning the general public, he wrote “In no way should taxpayers or policy holders be forced to participate in plans, whether private or public, which fund procedures that violate the moral precepts of the faith.”
Genuine reform, wrote Bishop Aquila, also means access for all. He noted that “finding ways to provide medical care to those who have none is a perennial priority for the Church” and that “we must ensure that the poor, the elderly, the handicapped, legal immigrants and the unborn, together with all citizens of our nation, have access to health care.”
Citing the Church’s teaching on subsidiarity, Bishop Aquila wrote that a diversity of social entities share the responsibility of ensuring access to health care, noting that “these various strands of community life within society build up a strong and cohesive social fabric that is the hallmark of a true communion of persons.”
Catholic Health Association Reiterates Position
08/28/2009 07:04 PM Filed in: Health Care
|Abortion
Rumors continue to
spread that the Catholic Health Association has
endorsed specific health care proposals. Today, CHA
reiterated that it has not endorsed any proposal and
that the current proposals are unacceptable because
of their abortion funding and mandate provisions.
Here is the statement:
Catholic Health Association Reaffirms Long-Standing Commitment to Reform Health Care But Waits to Endorse Any Specific Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 28, 2009) — The Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA) has long been committed to a goal of health coverage for all people in the United States. CHA has not, however, endorsed any of the bills currently under consideration.
"Our message has always been clear," said Sr. Carol Keehan, DC, president and chief executive office of the association. "Health care must respect and protect human dignity from conception to natural death. In that spirit, coverage for everyone is a moral imperative and a matter of social justice."
Nearly two years before the national reform conversation began, CHA put forward a set of principles to guide the effort. The "Vision For U.S. Health Care" document, developed collaboratively with members of the Catholic health ministry, begins with values from Catholic social teaching including human dignity, justice and the common good. "The values and principles set forth in the Vision document guide our advocacy for effective health reform," Sr. Carol noted.
"To date, CHA has not endorsed any health care reform bill, but our message to lawmakers is unchanged: Health reform should not result in an expansion of abortion, and it must maintain conscience protections for health care providers who do not want to participate in abortions or other morally objectionable procedures," Sr. Carol stressed.
CHA is working closely with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to bring about health reform that respects the life and dignity of every person, from conception to natural death. This means care that respects the unborn, the patient with multiple sclerosis, the person living with cancer, the young mother, the addicted, the mentally ill, the frail elderly, the dying patient.
CHA did collaborate earlier this summer with other major hospital groups to reach an agreement with the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, Sen. Max Baucus, and the White House on contributions to finance health care reform. The agreement, which holds hospitals to Medicare payment reductions and delivery system reforms that amount to approximately $155 billion over 10 years, protects hospital payments until there is significant new coverage of the uninsured. The agreement is also consistent with the principle in CHA's Vision document calling for shared responsibility for financing.
"The agreement did not include any commitments to endorse specific legislation but marked major progress in advancing reform and working together to finance health care in this country," Sr. Carol added.
"Catholic health care is privileged and proud to serve our patients, our communities and our country — and to be sure the most vulnerable are always represented and cared for," Sr. Carol said. "Now, as the reform conversation reaches a pivotal point, our message stays the same: it's time to create the health care system the American people deserve and can be proud of."
Catholic Health Association Reaffirms Long-Standing Commitment to Reform Health Care But Waits to Endorse Any Specific Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 28, 2009) — The Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA) has long been committed to a goal of health coverage for all people in the United States. CHA has not, however, endorsed any of the bills currently under consideration.
"Our message has always been clear," said Sr. Carol Keehan, DC, president and chief executive office of the association. "Health care must respect and protect human dignity from conception to natural death. In that spirit, coverage for everyone is a moral imperative and a matter of social justice."
Nearly two years before the national reform conversation began, CHA put forward a set of principles to guide the effort. The "Vision For U.S. Health Care" document, developed collaboratively with members of the Catholic health ministry, begins with values from Catholic social teaching including human dignity, justice and the common good. "The values and principles set forth in the Vision document guide our advocacy for effective health reform," Sr. Carol noted.
"To date, CHA has not endorsed any health care reform bill, but our message to lawmakers is unchanged: Health reform should not result in an expansion of abortion, and it must maintain conscience protections for health care providers who do not want to participate in abortions or other morally objectionable procedures," Sr. Carol stressed.
CHA is working closely with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to bring about health reform that respects the life and dignity of every person, from conception to natural death. This means care that respects the unborn, the patient with multiple sclerosis, the person living with cancer, the young mother, the addicted, the mentally ill, the frail elderly, the dying patient.
CHA did collaborate earlier this summer with other major hospital groups to reach an agreement with the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, Sen. Max Baucus, and the White House on contributions to finance health care reform. The agreement, which holds hospitals to Medicare payment reductions and delivery system reforms that amount to approximately $155 billion over 10 years, protects hospital payments until there is significant new coverage of the uninsured. The agreement is also consistent with the principle in CHA's Vision document calling for shared responsibility for financing.
"The agreement did not include any commitments to endorse specific legislation but marked major progress in advancing reform and working together to finance health care in this country," Sr. Carol added.
"Catholic health care is privileged and proud to serve our patients, our communities and our country — and to be sure the most vulnerable are always represented and cared for," Sr. Carol said. "Now, as the reform conversation reaches a pivotal point, our message stays the same: it's time to create the health care system the American people deserve and can be proud of."
Bishop Aquila Issues Letter on Health Care Reform
08/28/2009 02:25 PM Filed in: Health Care
Bishop Samuel J. Aquila
of the Diocese of Fargo has issued
a letter on the principles concerning
the Church and health care
reform.
FAQs on the Bishops and Health Care Reform
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops recently
launched a web site devoted solely to the subject of
health care reform. Here's a look at just one
resource from that site.
"Genuine health care reform that protects the life and dignity of all is a moral imperative and a vital national obligation" - Bishop William F. Murphy
"Genuine health care reform that protects the life and dignity of all is a moral imperative and a vital national obligation" - Bishop William F. Murphy
Questions and
Answers About the U.S. Bishops' Position on Health
Care Reform
From
the USCCB
Health Care Reform Web Site
The Catholic bishops support health care reform. What
are the bishops’ key criteria for health care
reform?
The
bishops have been consistent advocates for
comprehensive, life-affirming reform to the
nation’s health care system. Health care reform
needs to reflect basic moral principles. The bishops
believe access to basic, quality health care is a
universal human right not a privilege. In this light
they offer four criteria to guide the process: a
truly universal health policy that respects all human
life and dignity, from conception to natural death;
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; and
restraining costs and applying them equitably across
the spectrum of payers.
Why
are the bishops so vocal about health care
reform?
One
out of three Americans under the age of 65 went
without health insurance for some period of time
during 2007 and 2008. Of these, four out of five were
from working families. Sixty four percent of the
uninsured are employed full time, year round. This
state of affairs is unacceptable. In the Catholic
tradition, health care is a basic human right not a
privilege. It is a fundamental issue of human life
and dignity.
Are
the bishops trying to promote an anti-abortion agenda
through health care reform?
No. The bishops will continue to fight against the
evil of abortion by all means available. But they
have not demanded that urgently needed health care
reform become a vehicle for advancing the pro-life
cause, and they likewise believe it should not be
used to advance the cause of abortion. In this sense,
the bishops have asked that health care reform be
“abortion neutral,” this is, that
existing laws and policies with regard to abortion
and abortion funding be preserved, allowing health
care reform to move forward and serve its legitimate
goals.
Why
are the bishops insistent that healthcare reform be
“abortion neutral”?
Abortion
advocacy groups are trying to use health care reform
to advance their agenda, by having Congress or a
federal official establish abortion as a
“basic” or “essential” health
benefit, guaranteeing “access” nationwide
and requiring Americans to subsidize abortion with
their tax dollars or insurance premiums. This would
reverse a tradition of federal laws and policies that
have barred federal funding and promotion of abortion
in all major health programs for over three decades
(e.g., the Hyde amendment, 1976), and have respected
the right of health care providers to decline
involvement in abortion or abortion referrals. This
agenda would also endanger or render irrelevant
numerous local and state laws regulating abortion.
The bishops cannot, in good conscience, let such an
important and pressing issue as health care reform be
hijacked by the abortion agenda. 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. Any such
action would be morally wrong and politically
unwise.
Are the bishops promoting socialized medicine by
advocating for universal access?
All
people need and should have access to comprehensive,
quality health care that they can afford, and it
should not depend on their stage in life, where or
whether they or their parents work, how much they
earn, where they live, or where they were born. There
may be different ways to accomplish this, but the
Bishops’ Conference believes health care reform
should be truly universal and genuinely
affordable.
Health
care is already expensive. Why advocate for legal
immigrants to be covered too?
Legal
immigrants pay taxes and contribute to the U.S.
economy and social life in the same manner as U.S.
citizens do. Therefore, there should be equity for
legal immigrants in access to health care. In the
Catholic tradition, health care is a basic human
right, like education, and having access to it should
not depend on where you were born. Achieving equality
in this case, for instance, means repealing the five
year ban currently in effect for legal immigrants to
access Medicaid, and ensuring that all pregnant women
in the United States, who will be giving birth to
U.S. citizens, are eligible along with their unborn
children for health care.
What
kind of actions do the bishops recommend to make
quality healthcare accessible for all and genuinely
affordable?
Many
lower income families simply lack the resources to
meet their health care expenses. For these families,
significant premiums and cost sharing charges can
serve as barriers to obtaining coverage or seeing a
doctor. Medicaid cost-sharing protections should be
maintained and new coverage options should protect
the lowest income enrollees from burdensome cost
sharing. The bishops have urged Congress to limit
premiums or exempt families earning less then 200
percent of the Federal Poverty Level from monthly
premiums; they also recommend limiting co-payments
and other costs which could discourage needed care,
and increasing eligibility levels for Medicaid and
CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program).
They have urged Congress to provide states with
resources to expand coverage and ensure sufficient
funding for safety net clinics, hospitals and other
providers serving those who will continue to fall
through the cracks even after the system is
reformed.
Have more questions? Looking
for resources? The USCCB
Health Care Reform Web
Site is full of information
for Catholics and anyone concerned about health care
reform.
U.S. Bishops Launch Web Site on Health Care Reform
08/14/2009 10:52 AM Filed in: Health Care
WASHINGTON—The
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)
launched a Web page promoting its support of
“truly universal health policy with respect for
human life and dignity.” The page,
www.usccb.org/healthcare,
includes letters from bishops to Congress, videos,
facts and statistics, frequently asked questions, and
links for contacting members of Congress.
Letters to Congress include an August 11 letter by Cardinal Justin Rigali, the bishops’ Pro-Life chairman, criticizing abortion provisions in the House version of health care legislation and a July 17 letter from Bishop William Murphy, the bishops’ Domestic Social Justice chairman, outlining the bishops concerns and priorities for health care reform as a whole.
The site will feature Web videos of USCCB policy staff discussing the bishops’ position on health care. Kathy Saile, director of Domestic Social Development, outlines the general position and concerns. Richard Doerflinger, associate director of Pro-Life Activities, describes how abortion relates to the health care reform debate.
The page also contains facts and statistics about Catholic health care in the United States, which includes 624 Catholic hospitals, 164 home health agencies, and 41 hospice organizations.
Letters to Congress include an August 11 letter by Cardinal Justin Rigali, the bishops’ Pro-Life chairman, criticizing abortion provisions in the House version of health care legislation and a July 17 letter from Bishop William Murphy, the bishops’ Domestic Social Justice chairman, outlining the bishops concerns and priorities for health care reform as a whole.
The site will feature Web videos of USCCB policy staff discussing the bishops’ position on health care. Kathy Saile, director of Domestic Social Development, outlines the general position and concerns. Richard Doerflinger, associate director of Pro-Life Activities, describes how abortion relates to the health care reform debate.
The page also contains facts and statistics about Catholic health care in the United States, which includes 624 Catholic hospitals, 164 home health agencies, and 41 hospice organizations.
Legal Immigrants and Health Care
08/13/2009 09:43 AM Filed in: Health Care
|Migration
Issues Related to Low Income Coverage
08/13/2009 09:39 AM Filed in: Health Care
Respect Life Program Packet for 2009-10 Now Available
08/13/2009 09:37 AM Filed in: Catholic
Social Teaching |Marriage and
Family |Assisted
Suicide |Contraception
Policies |Abortion
WASHINGTON—The
2009-10 Respect Life Program is now available in
preparation for Respect Life Sunday, October 4.
This year’s theme—“Every
Child Brings Us God’s Smile”—comes
from a homily of Pope Benedict XVI (January 7, 2007,
Feast of the Baptism of the Lord).
The Respect Life flyer explores this theme and
provides a fascinating timeline of fetal development
along with photos showing the humanity of unborn
children.
Topics addressed in this year’s Respect Life
Program reflect the diversity of pro-life concerns:
NOTE: The Respect Life packets may be ordered from the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities by calling toll-free (866) 582-0943, or by faxing orders to (301) 779-8596. Downloadable copies of Respect Life materials from 1996 onward are posted in English and Spanish on the Secretariat’s Website at www.usccb.org/prolife/programs/rlp.
- the way ahead in building a culture of life (by Cardinal Justin Rigali)
- the essence of human dignity
- assisted suicide
- facts about contraception
- infertility
- same-sex marriage
NOTE: The Respect Life packets may be ordered from the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities by calling toll-free (866) 582-0943, or by faxing orders to (301) 779-8596. Downloadable copies of Respect Life materials from 1996 onward are posted in English and Spanish on the Secretariat’s Website at www.usccb.org/prolife/programs/rlp.
Abortion Provisions in House Bill "Unacceptable"
08/13/2009 09:27 AM Filed in: Health Care
|Abortion
Pro-Life Chairman urges Representatives to amend
H.R. 3200
Abortion
as a mandated benefit is ‘radical change’
from current law
Says
much-needed reform cannot become vehicle for
promoting abortion
ABORTION
PROVISIONS IN HOUSE’S HEALTH CARE BILL
UNACCEPTABLE, SAYS CARDINAL IN LETTER TO
HOUSE
WASHINGTON—Cardinal
Justin Rigali of Philadelphia urged preservation of
“longstanding federal policies that prevent
government promotion of abortion and respect
conscience rights,” and called current House
health care legislation “seriously
deficient” on the issue of mandated
coverage and funding of abortion. He
cited his concerns in an August 11 letter to the U.S.
House of Representatives.
Cardinal Rigali, Chairman of the United States
Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on
Pro-Life Activities, reaffirmed the bishops’
position that genuine health care reform that
respects life and dignity is urgently needed. He also
welcomed provisions in America’s Affordable
Health Choices Act (H.R. 3200) that do not preempt
state laws regulating abortion or current federal
conscience laws on abortion. But he criticized the
bill for delegating to the Secretary of Health and
Human Services “the power to make unlimited
abortion a mandated benefit in the ‘public
health insurance plan’ the government will
manage nationwide.” He called this a
“radical change” since federal law
excludes most abortions from federal employees’
health benefits, and no federal health program
mandates coverage of elective abortions.
Cardinal Rigali also criticized the bill for
bypassing the Hyde Amendment and other longstanding
provisions that prevent federal funding of abortion
and health benefits packages that include abortion.
He called the provisions to separate funding for
abortion created by the House Energy and Commerce
Committee a “legal fiction,” one that
would force low-income Americans, who may only be
able to afford the public plan, to subsidize
abortions for others and abortion coverage for
themselves “even if they find abortion morally
abhorrent.”
“Much-needed reform must not become a vehicle
for promoting an ‘abortion rights’ agenda
or reversing longstanding policies against federal
funding and mandated coverage of abortion,”
Cardinal Rigali said. He added that “no federal
program mandates coverage for elective abortions, or
subsidizes health plans that include such abortions.
Most Americans do not want abortion in their health
coverage, and most consider themselves
‘pro-life,’ with a stronger majority
among low-income Americans.”
“By what right, then, and by what precedent,
would Congress make abortion coverage into a
nationwide norm, or force Americans to subsidize it
as a condition for participating in a public health
program?” he asked.
Cardinal Rigali reiterated the USCCB’s
long-time support of genuine health care reform that
respects human life and dignity from conception till
natural death, provides access to quality care for
all with special concern for the poor and immigrants,
respects pluralism and conscience rights, and shares
costs equitably. He urged members of the House to
support amendments to correct the “unacceptable
features” currently in H.R. 3200 and to oppose
any rule for considering the bill that would block
such amendments.
The full text of the letter can be found online
at:
http://www.usccb.org/prolife/CardRigaliHealthCareReformLetter-08-11-09.pdf
Lines in the Sand
08/07/2009 08:41 AM Filed in: Health Care
|Abortion
LIFE
ISSUES
FORUM
August 7, 2009
For Immediate Release
Lines in the Sand
By Tom Grenchik
As members of Congress head home for their August recess, we now have a better picture of where everyone stands on health care reform. While the U.S. bishops support genuine health care reform, there is a clear line in the sand between our bishops and some congressional leaders.
On July 17, Bishop William Murphy, Chairman of the bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, wrote to Congress saying: “The USCCB looks forward to working with you to reform health care successfully in a manner that offers accessible, affordable and quality health care that protects and respects the life and dignity of all people from conception until natural death.” Then Bishop Murphy drew a line, declaring that “no health care reform plan should compel us or others to pay for the destruction of human life, whether through government funding or mandatory coverage of abortion.”
Some seemed surprised at this, since abortion was not specifically mentioned in draft health care bills until recently. Those with longer memories may recall that the Medicaid statute doesn’t mention abortion either, but it was funding 300,000 abortions a year in the 1970s until we put a stop to that with the Hyde amendment. In any case, numerous amendments to keep abortion out of health care reform have been defeated in committee, and it is now apparent that some leaders have every intention of threatening the health care reform process by forcing Americans to accept abortion mandates and/or fund unlimited abortion in their health coverage.
Cardinal Justin Rigali, Chairman of the U.S. Catholic bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, followed up with a July 29 letter to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, declaring that “much-needed reform must not become a vehicle for promoting an ‘abortion rights’ agenda or reversing longstanding current policies against federal abortion mandates and funding.” The Cardinal urged Committee members to preserve longstanding federal policies that prevent government promotion of abortion and respect conscience rights.
But Bishop Murphy and Cardinal Rigali are not the only ones drawing lines. Millions upon millions of American Catholics are with them. Earlier this year, dioceses across the country broke all previous records by ordering more than 34 million postcards so their parishioners could urge Congress to “retain laws against federal funding and promotion of abortion.” Now that members of Congress are heading home, they need to be reminded of this message at the local level, in the context of health care reform.
As Congress takes its vacation, various proposals have been left behind. These proposals need to be examined to see how well they provide accessible, affordable and quality health care and how they impact immigrants and the poor. But one thing is certain. The bills approved so far by House and Senate committees include mandated abortion coverage and abortion funding, and that is a line we can never cross.
Now is the time to take action. Contact congressional members through e-mail, phone calls or FAX letters. E-mails can be sent by visiting www.usccb.org/prolife and clicking on the Health Care Reform Action Alert. You can also call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121, attend town hall meetings in your local district, or call the local offices of your representative and senators. Full contact info can be found on Members’ web sites at www.house.gov and www.senate.gov.
The message is simple: “Support genuine health care reform that respects the life and dignity of all. A fair and just health care reform bill must exclude mandated coverage for abortion, and uphold longstanding laws that restrict abortion funding and protect conscience rights.”
Tom Grenchik is Executive Director of the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Go to www.usccb.org/prolife to learn more about the bishops’ pro-life activities.
For Immediate Release
Lines in the Sand
By Tom Grenchik
As members of Congress head home for their August recess, we now have a better picture of where everyone stands on health care reform. While the U.S. bishops support genuine health care reform, there is a clear line in the sand between our bishops and some congressional leaders.
On July 17, Bishop William Murphy, Chairman of the bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, wrote to Congress saying: “The USCCB looks forward to working with you to reform health care successfully in a manner that offers accessible, affordable and quality health care that protects and respects the life and dignity of all people from conception until natural death.” Then Bishop Murphy drew a line, declaring that “no health care reform plan should compel us or others to pay for the destruction of human life, whether through government funding or mandatory coverage of abortion.”
Some seemed surprised at this, since abortion was not specifically mentioned in draft health care bills until recently. Those with longer memories may recall that the Medicaid statute doesn’t mention abortion either, but it was funding 300,000 abortions a year in the 1970s until we put a stop to that with the Hyde amendment. In any case, numerous amendments to keep abortion out of health care reform have been defeated in committee, and it is now apparent that some leaders have every intention of threatening the health care reform process by forcing Americans to accept abortion mandates and/or fund unlimited abortion in their health coverage.
Cardinal Justin Rigali, Chairman of the U.S. Catholic bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, followed up with a July 29 letter to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, declaring that “much-needed reform must not become a vehicle for promoting an ‘abortion rights’ agenda or reversing longstanding current policies against federal abortion mandates and funding.” The Cardinal urged Committee members to preserve longstanding federal policies that prevent government promotion of abortion and respect conscience rights.
But Bishop Murphy and Cardinal Rigali are not the only ones drawing lines. Millions upon millions of American Catholics are with them. Earlier this year, dioceses across the country broke all previous records by ordering more than 34 million postcards so their parishioners could urge Congress to “retain laws against federal funding and promotion of abortion.” Now that members of Congress are heading home, they need to be reminded of this message at the local level, in the context of health care reform.
As Congress takes its vacation, various proposals have been left behind. These proposals need to be examined to see how well they provide accessible, affordable and quality health care and how they impact immigrants and the poor. But one thing is certain. The bills approved so far by House and Senate committees include mandated abortion coverage and abortion funding, and that is a line we can never cross.
Now is the time to take action. Contact congressional members through e-mail, phone calls or FAX letters. E-mails can be sent by visiting www.usccb.org/prolife and clicking on the Health Care Reform Action Alert. You can also call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121, attend town hall meetings in your local district, or call the local offices of your representative and senators. Full contact info can be found on Members’ web sites at www.house.gov and www.senate.gov.
The message is simple: “Support genuine health care reform that respects the life and dignity of all. A fair and just health care reform bill must exclude mandated coverage for abortion, and uphold longstanding laws that restrict abortion funding and protect conscience rights.”
Tom Grenchik is Executive Director of the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Go to www.usccb.org/prolife to learn more about the bishops’ pro-life activities.
Going Mobile
08/05/2009 01:41 PM Filed in: News
The North Dakota Catholic Conference
has launched a mobile version of its web site, making
it easier to access information from iPhones, iPod
Touches, and other mobile devices.
The site is in a beta version, so let us know if you encounter problems. Viewers accessing the main page (http://ndcatholic.org) will automatically be redirected to the mobile site if their browser screen is less than 800 pixels.
The site is in a beta version, so let us know if you encounter problems. Viewers accessing the main page (http://ndcatholic.org) will automatically be redirected to the mobile site if their browser screen is less than 800 pixels.
Statement of Catholic Charities USA on Health Care Reform
08/03/2009 12:59 PM Filed in: Health Care
|Abortion
"In response to
inaccurate online media reports, Catholic Charities
USA states unequivocally that it does not support any
plan to reform health care and/or any proposed
legislative provision that allows or promotes the
funding of abortions or that compels any health care
provider or institution to provide such a service. In
fact, Catholic Charities USA will continue to work
with the Catholic Health Association and the United
States Conference of Catholic Bishops to ensure that
any health care reform legislation will not include
such provisions. All media accounts or public
comments that misrepresent this position are
inaccurate.
'These attacks appear to be politically motivated by opponents of health care reform. They are distortions of the truth and disingenuous. Catholic Charities USA will continue to work to reform health care in a way that is consistent with the teachings of our faith.' said Fr. Larry Snyder, President."
'These attacks appear to be politically motivated by opponents of health care reform. They are distortions of the truth and disingenuous. Catholic Charities USA will continue to work to reform health care in a way that is consistent with the teachings of our faith.' said Fr. Larry Snyder, President."
Summary of Current Life-Related Amendments to House Health Care Bill
This just in from USCCB
Pro-Life Department:
Here’s an analysis of amendments on abortion in health care reform, as approved in House Energy and Commerce Committee last night.
While meeting last night to mark up the health care reform legislation (HR 3200), the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved a confusing set of amendments on abortion -- some of them helpful, others showing that more work needs to be done.
The Capps amendment, presented as a compromise, has the following features. Beginning with the most unacceptable features and working our way down to those that are more positive:
- The "public plan" (government-run health plan offered in every region of the country) will include whatever abortions are eligible for federal funding in a given year, and will include ALL abortions if the HHS Secretary approves that.
- Federal subsidies will help pay the premiums for health benefits that include unlimited abortions. But if abortions in the plan do go beyond what the Hyde amendment allows funding for in that year, the premium amount for the additional abortions must be paid for by the covered party's private funds. This is a bookkeeping exercise, a complicated actuarial exercise that artificially separates the abortion premium on paper from the rest of the premium. The plans including elective abortions will cost (at a minimum) one dollar more a month. This is a major departure from the Hyde amendment and similar provisions in current law, which simply prohibit federal funding of elective abortions and of any benefits package that includes them.
- Each regional poll or "Exchange" must have at least one plan that includes abortions, and at least one that does not include them beyond the Hyde exceptions (and the latter may, if it wishes, exclude all abortions).
- Neither the Act nor the HHS Secretary may mandate that private plans either include or exclude abortions.
- Nothing in the Act alters rights and responsibilities under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (religious accommodation for employees) or current state or federal laws requiring provision of emergency services. (The federal law on this subject, known as EMTALA [Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act], does not mention abortion and has never been used to require anyone to perform an abortion.)
- No health plan in an “Exchange” may discriminate against a health care provider or facility based on his, her or its willingness OR unwillingness to provide abortions.
- Nothing in the Act may be construed to preempt state laws on abortion or abortion coverage, or federal laws on conscience protection or discrimination based on abortion.
Also approved was a very positive Pitts/Stupak amendment that writes the Weldon amendment on conscience protection into the Act: A federal agency, or state or local government receiving federal funds under the Act, may not discriminate against an individual or institutional health care provider because the provider does not provide, pay for, provide coverage of, or refer for abortions. (The amendment originally included a provision on conscience rights in contexts other than abortion, but this drew strong opposition and had to be dropped.)
There was a second Stupak/Pitts amendment to apply the traditional Hyde amendment language to federal funding under this Act, so federal funds would not subsidize any part of a health plan that includes elective abortions. This would mean purchase of such abortion coverage would be truly private and voluntary, done by purchasing an optional rider with one's own funds. This amendment failed late Friday afternoon.
In addition to the "paper separation" provision of the Capps Amendment, weakening application of the Hyde amendment, the major objectionable abortion-related provision in the bill now is the requirement that the "public plan" (the government-run plan that may become a norm for health plans across the country) will include abortions, contrary to the practice in every other federal government-run health program in the nation. However, we have made good progress in terms of retaining current abortion laws, preserving conscience rights (at least on abortion), and ensuring that some private plans excluding abortion will be available. We hope to improve the legislation further on the House floor and to pursue better solutions to some of these problems in the Senate.
In this situation I would simply like to acknowledge the special and courageous role played by Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI), Democratic co-chair of the House Pro-Life Caucus. He tried to negotiate a solution with committee chair Henry Waxman, and when that broke down over the issues of public funding and mandates for abortion he stood up to his own party leadership by insisting that Congress should do a better job of advancing health care reform that respects human life. He will continue to work to improve this legislation and will need our help.
Here’s an analysis of amendments on abortion in health care reform, as approved in House Energy and Commerce Committee last night.
While meeting last night to mark up the health care reform legislation (HR 3200), the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved a confusing set of amendments on abortion -- some of them helpful, others showing that more work needs to be done.
The Capps amendment, presented as a compromise, has the following features. Beginning with the most unacceptable features and working our way down to those that are more positive:
- The "public plan" (government-run health plan offered in every region of the country) will include whatever abortions are eligible for federal funding in a given year, and will include ALL abortions if the HHS Secretary approves that.
- Federal subsidies will help pay the premiums for health benefits that include unlimited abortions. But if abortions in the plan do go beyond what the Hyde amendment allows funding for in that year, the premium amount for the additional abortions must be paid for by the covered party's private funds. This is a bookkeeping exercise, a complicated actuarial exercise that artificially separates the abortion premium on paper from the rest of the premium. The plans including elective abortions will cost (at a minimum) one dollar more a month. This is a major departure from the Hyde amendment and similar provisions in current law, which simply prohibit federal funding of elective abortions and of any benefits package that includes them.
- Each regional poll or "Exchange" must have at least one plan that includes abortions, and at least one that does not include them beyond the Hyde exceptions (and the latter may, if it wishes, exclude all abortions).
- Neither the Act nor the HHS Secretary may mandate that private plans either include or exclude abortions.
- Nothing in the Act alters rights and responsibilities under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (religious accommodation for employees) or current state or federal laws requiring provision of emergency services. (The federal law on this subject, known as EMTALA [Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act], does not mention abortion and has never been used to require anyone to perform an abortion.)
- No health plan in an “Exchange” may discriminate against a health care provider or facility based on his, her or its willingness OR unwillingness to provide abortions.
- Nothing in the Act may be construed to preempt state laws on abortion or abortion coverage, or federal laws on conscience protection or discrimination based on abortion.
Also approved was a very positive Pitts/Stupak amendment that writes the Weldon amendment on conscience protection into the Act: A federal agency, or state or local government receiving federal funds under the Act, may not discriminate against an individual or institutional health care provider because the provider does not provide, pay for, provide coverage of, or refer for abortions. (The amendment originally included a provision on conscience rights in contexts other than abortion, but this drew strong opposition and had to be dropped.)
There was a second Stupak/Pitts amendment to apply the traditional Hyde amendment language to federal funding under this Act, so federal funds would not subsidize any part of a health plan that includes elective abortions. This would mean purchase of such abortion coverage would be truly private and voluntary, done by purchasing an optional rider with one's own funds. This amendment failed late Friday afternoon.
In addition to the "paper separation" provision of the Capps Amendment, weakening application of the Hyde amendment, the major objectionable abortion-related provision in the bill now is the requirement that the "public plan" (the government-run plan that may become a norm for health plans across the country) will include abortions, contrary to the practice in every other federal government-run health program in the nation. However, we have made good progress in terms of retaining current abortion laws, preserving conscience rights (at least on abortion), and ensuring that some private plans excluding abortion will be available. We hope to improve the legislation further on the House floor and to pursue better solutions to some of these problems in the Senate.
In this situation I would simply like to acknowledge the special and courageous role played by Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI), Democratic co-chair of the House Pro-Life Caucus. He tried to negotiate a solution with committee chair Henry Waxman, and when that broke down over the issues of public funding and mandates for abortion he stood up to his own party leadership by insisting that Congress should do a better job of advancing health care reform that respects human life. He will continue to work to improve this legislation and will need our help.
The Difference is the Difference
07/31/2009 10:49 AM Filed in: Marriage and
Family
CARDINAL RIGALI URGES HOUSE COMMITTEE TO SUPPORT PRO-LIFE AMENDMENTS TO HEALTH CARE REFORM BILL
07/31/2009 09:26 AM Filed in: Health Care
|Abortion
Health
care: a basic right for all, from conception to
natural death
Reform
must not be vehicle for ‘abortion rights’
agenda
Congress:
Follow President Obama’s pledge to preserve
conscience rights
CARDINAL
RIGALI URGES HOUSE COMMITTEE TO SUPPORT PRO-LIFE
AMENDMENTS TO HEALTH CARE REFORM
BILL
WASHINGTON—Cardinal
Justin Rigali, Chairman of the U.S. Catholic
bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities,
wrote on July 29 to the members of the House Energy
and Commerce Committee urging them to amend
“America’s Affordable Health Choices
Act” (H.R. 3200) to retain longstanding
government policies on abortion and conscience
rights.
Cardinal
Rigali reiterated criteria for “genuine health
care reform” set forth by Bishop William
Murphy, Chairman of the bishops’ Committee on
Domestic Policy, in his letter to Congress on July
17. He described health care as “a basic
right belonging to all human beings, from conception
to natural death” and said that “the
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is
working to ensure that needed health reform is not
undermined by abandoning longstanding and widely
supported policies against abortion funding and
mandates and in favor of conscience
protection.”
The Cardinal enumerated several problems with the
bill as introduced: It would be used to mandate
abortion coverage in private health plans, expand
abortion funding, override state laws that limit or
regulate abortion, and endanger existing laws
protecting the conscience rights of health care
providers.
“Much-needed reform must not become a vehicle
for promoting an ‘abortion rights’ agenda
or reversing longstanding current policies against
federal abortion mandates and funding,” he
wrote. “In this sense we urge you to make this
legislation ‘abortion neutral’ by
preserving longstanding federal policies that prevent
government promotion of abortion and respect
conscience rights.”
“Several federal laws have long protected the
conscience rights of health care providers,”
Cardinal Rigali added. “President Obama
recently stated that he accepts these current laws
and will do nothing to weaken them. Congress should
make the same pledge, by ensuring that this
legislation will maintain protection for conscience
rights.”
The Cardinal closed by urging the House Energy and
Commerce Committee to support amendments by Reps.
Bart Stupak (D-MI) and Joseph Pitts (R-PA) to address
these problems in H.R. 3200. The full text of his
letter is available at:
www.usccb.org/prolife/CardRigali-AbortionNeutralReform-7-29-09.pdf.
For more information on the USCCB position on Health
Care Reform, visit
www.usccb.org/prolife/issues/healthcare
and
www.usccb.org/sdwp/national/health1.shtml.
Let the Taxpayers Beware!
07/24/2009 09:16 PM Filed in: Abortion
Let the Taxpayers
Beware!
By Susan E. Wills
It should be called the Planned Parenthood Economic Stimulus Package of 2009.
Instead, co-sponsors Tim Ryan (D-OH) and Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) have given their “new” (though largely recycled) bill the promising title “Preventing Unintended Pregnancies, Reducing the Need for Abortion and Supporting Parents Act.” Sponsors describe the bill as a “common ground” approach to reducing unintended pregnancies and abortions, one that should appeal to opposing sides in the abortion debate.
Sure, the bill is dressed up with some funding for after-school programs, and some (very poorly crafted) efforts to provide support for pregnant students. But make no mistake. The bill is “about access to birth control,” according to Congressman Ryan (MSNBC’s “Hardball,” May 19, 2009). In the same interview, Ryan explained: “We have to have birth control and contraception offered to these poor women who don’t have access to contraception, period, dot. There’s no other way we’re going to be able to reduce [abortions].” About what you’d expect in a bill whose co-sponsors enjoy a 100% pro-choice rating from NARAL.
Accordingly, their bill calls for grants for comprehensive sexuality education (abstinence-only educators need not apply!). It substantially increases funding for the federal Title X Family Planning Program. It denies state choice, making family planning services a mandatory Medicaid entitlement in all states, and greatly expands family planning eligibility under Medicaid to all women who are eligible under state law for prenatal, labor, and delivery care.
Some people might find this approach sensible. But they ignore at least two things. First, since at least 1980, taxpayers have been funding “family planning services” to the tune of over $1 billion per year. In 2006 such public expenditures totaled $1.85 billion. So today, virtually all teenagers who are sexually active and do not want to become pregnant are already using contraception. Only 7% are not using it, according to the Guttmacher Institute.
Second, contraceptives don’t work very well in real life. In the first 12 months of contraceptive use, 16.4% of teens (1 in 6) will become pregnant. Among low-income cohabiting teens, the failure (pregnancy) rate over 12 months is 48.4% for birth control pills and 71.7% for condoms.
Numerous studies in the United States and Europe have found that greater access to contraception fails to reduce unintended pregnancies and abortions. A recent $10 million intervention in England giving at-risk teens comprehensive sex education and contraception is a perfect example. Teens in the program had a pregnancy rate 2.5 times higher than a similar group of at-risk teens (16 vs. 6 percent).
Why does increased access to contraception fail at the population level? Thinking they are protected from pregnancy and disease, more young people become sexually active and have more partners, offsetting any reduction in pregnancy from individual contraceptive use. And the increased level of sexual activity causes STD rates to soar. In the U.S., 1 in 4 teen girls has at least one STD; many of these are incurable and some are fatal.
The sharpest decline in unintended pregnancies and abortions since 1990 has occurred among those under 18, due not to comprehensive sex ed or contraception, but chiefly to the growing number of young people choosing to remain abstinent. Visit the Secretariat’s website for contraception facts and citations at www.usccb.org/prolife/issues/contraception/index.shtml, and let your member of Congress know that the Ryan/DeLauro bill cannot fulfill the promises in its title. The real abortion-reduction bill in Congress now is the Pregnant Women Support Act (S.1032, H.R.2035), which needs our support.
Susan Wills is Assistant Director for Education and Outreach in the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. To learn more about the bishops’ pro-life activities, see www.usccb.org/prolife.
By Susan E. Wills
It should be called the Planned Parenthood Economic Stimulus Package of 2009.
Instead, co-sponsors Tim Ryan (D-OH) and Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) have given their “new” (though largely recycled) bill the promising title “Preventing Unintended Pregnancies, Reducing the Need for Abortion and Supporting Parents Act.” Sponsors describe the bill as a “common ground” approach to reducing unintended pregnancies and abortions, one that should appeal to opposing sides in the abortion debate.
Sure, the bill is dressed up with some funding for after-school programs, and some (very poorly crafted) efforts to provide support for pregnant students. But make no mistake. The bill is “about access to birth control,” according to Congressman Ryan (MSNBC’s “Hardball,” May 19, 2009). In the same interview, Ryan explained: “We have to have birth control and contraception offered to these poor women who don’t have access to contraception, period, dot. There’s no other way we’re going to be able to reduce [abortions].” About what you’d expect in a bill whose co-sponsors enjoy a 100% pro-choice rating from NARAL.
Accordingly, their bill calls for grants for comprehensive sexuality education (abstinence-only educators need not apply!). It substantially increases funding for the federal Title X Family Planning Program. It denies state choice, making family planning services a mandatory Medicaid entitlement in all states, and greatly expands family planning eligibility under Medicaid to all women who are eligible under state law for prenatal, labor, and delivery care.
Some people might find this approach sensible. But they ignore at least two things. First, since at least 1980, taxpayers have been funding “family planning services” to the tune of over $1 billion per year. In 2006 such public expenditures totaled $1.85 billion. So today, virtually all teenagers who are sexually active and do not want to become pregnant are already using contraception. Only 7% are not using it, according to the Guttmacher Institute.
Second, contraceptives don’t work very well in real life. In the first 12 months of contraceptive use, 16.4% of teens (1 in 6) will become pregnant. Among low-income cohabiting teens, the failure (pregnancy) rate over 12 months is 48.4% for birth control pills and 71.7% for condoms.
Numerous studies in the United States and Europe have found that greater access to contraception fails to reduce unintended pregnancies and abortions. A recent $10 million intervention in England giving at-risk teens comprehensive sex education and contraception is a perfect example. Teens in the program had a pregnancy rate 2.5 times higher than a similar group of at-risk teens (16 vs. 6 percent).
Why does increased access to contraception fail at the population level? Thinking they are protected from pregnancy and disease, more young people become sexually active and have more partners, offsetting any reduction in pregnancy from individual contraceptive use. And the increased level of sexual activity causes STD rates to soar. In the U.S., 1 in 4 teen girls has at least one STD; many of these are incurable and some are fatal.
The sharpest decline in unintended pregnancies and abortions since 1990 has occurred among those under 18, due not to comprehensive sex ed or contraception, but chiefly to the growing number of young people choosing to remain abstinent. Visit the Secretariat’s website for contraception facts and citations at www.usccb.org/prolife/issues/contraception/index.shtml, and let your member of Congress know that the Ryan/DeLauro bill cannot fulfill the promises in its title. The real abortion-reduction bill in Congress now is the Pregnant Women Support Act (S.1032, H.R.2035), which needs our support.
Susan Wills is Assistant Director for Education and Outreach in the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. To learn more about the bishops’ pro-life activities, see www.usccb.org/prolife.
Abortion Center Should Comply With Law
07/24/2009 08:22 AM Filed in: Abortion
The Red River Women's
Clinic in Fargo is challenging a portion of North
Dakota's new ultrasound law. HB 1371, which
legislators overwhelmingly supported (a combined vote
of 121 to 10), requires that, in addition to the
opportunity to view an ultrasound, a woman have the
opportunity to hear her unborn child's heartbeat. The
center is challenging that requirement, contending
that the language is vague.
Legislative acts should be interpreted in a manner that makes them enforceable and consistent with the legislative intent. The intent here is clear. The legislature wanted women to have the opportunity to see and hear their unborn child.
It is disappointing, to say the least, that the abortion facility chose to challenge, rather than comply, with the law. It is also disconcerting that facility waited until the week before the law goes into effect to make these claims. No one from the abortion center testified against or raised concerns about the bill at the legislative hearings, and several months have passed since the Governor signed the bill into law.
Women deserve to have all information about an abortion, including the sights and sounds showing the unborn child's humanity, before making a final decision. If the Red River Women's Clinic truly believed in informed choice, it should have no problem complying with the law.
New stories about the suit can be found here, here, and here.
The North Dakota Catholic Conference's testimony on HB 1371 is here and here.
Legislative acts should be interpreted in a manner that makes them enforceable and consistent with the legislative intent. The intent here is clear. The legislature wanted women to have the opportunity to see and hear their unborn child.
It is disappointing, to say the least, that the abortion facility chose to challenge, rather than comply, with the law. It is also disconcerting that facility waited until the week before the law goes into effect to make these claims. No one from the abortion center testified against or raised concerns about the bill at the legislative hearings, and several months have passed since the Governor signed the bill into law.
Women deserve to have all information about an abortion, including the sights and sounds showing the unborn child's humanity, before making a final decision. If the Red River Women's Clinic truly believed in informed choice, it should have no problem complying with the law.
New stories about the suit can be found here, here, and here.
The North Dakota Catholic Conference's testimony on HB 1371 is here and here.
Action Alert from NCHLA on Abortion and Health Care
07/21/2009 01:38 PM Filed in: Health Care
|Abortion
“A fair and just
health care reform bill must exclude mandated
coverage for abortion, and uphold longstanding laws
that restrict abortion funding and protect conscience
rights.”
This action alert should be read and used with the information posted here.
This action alert should be read and used with the information posted here.
Three Important Documents on Health Care Reform and Abortion
07/17/2009 04:43 PM Filed in: Health Care
|Abortion
Bishop William F. Murphy,
Chairman of the USCCB Committee Domestic Justice
and Human Development has written a strongly
worded letter to members of Congress calling for
health care reform that protects human life and
dignity.
The letter states that the "bishops want to support health care reform" but "must insist that health care reform excludes abortion coverage or any other provisions that threaten the sanctity of life." It goes on to state that any plan that includes abortion would be morally wrong, politically unwise, and would not pass.
In addition, the letter states the bishops believe that health care "should be truly universal and it should be genuinely affordable," leaving no one out. Anticipating that some individuals, such as immigrants, may not be included in health care reform, the letter urges maintaining a safety-net system for those providers who serve those who fall through the cracks.
Read the full text of the letter.
USCCB also released today a fact sheet on current policies on abortion coverage in federal law. The facts demonstrate that the bishops are not asking Congress to "roll-back" existing policies, but to maintain what has been the accepted status quo.
Get the fact sheet.
Finally, USCCB has provided an action alert on health care reform suitable for parish use.
Get the Action Alert.
Labor-HHS Appropriations Affirm Conscience Protections
The House Labor, Health
and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies
Subcommittee has approved its FY2010 appropriations
legislation with conscience clause protections for
health care providers intact. The protections, known
as the Hyde-Weldon amendments, have been included in
previous Labor-HHS appropriations and are strongly
supported by the Catholic health ministry. Following
the subcommittee's approval, the amendments are
likely to remain in the legislation as it goes to
consideration by the full House Appropriations
Committee. Source: Catholic Health Association
Pomeroy Votes to Fund D.C. Abortions
07/17/2009 11:39 AM Filed in: Abortion
North Dakota's
Representative Earl Pomeroy voted to fund abortion on
demand for the District of Columbia. The vote was 219
in favor of funding to 208 against.
Please contact Representative Pomeroy and politely express your disappointment with his vote - which is a departure from his usual votes on abortion funding. Other important abortion funding bills are coming up. It is important that he know that North Dakotans do not their tax money used for abortion.
Representative Earl Pomeroy
Washington: United States House of Representatives
1501 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Telephone: (202) 225-2611
FAX: (202) 226-0893
Bismarck: Telephone: (701) 224-0355
Fargo: Telephone: (701) 235-9760
rep.earl.pomeroy@mail.house.gov
Please contact Representative Pomeroy and politely express your disappointment with his vote - which is a departure from his usual votes on abortion funding. Other important abortion funding bills are coming up. It is important that he know that North Dakotans do not their tax money used for abortion.
Representative Earl Pomeroy
Washington: United States House of Representatives
1501 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Telephone: (202) 225-2611
FAX: (202) 226-0893
Bismarck: Telephone: (701) 224-0355
Fargo: Telephone: (701) 235-9760
rep.earl.pomeroy@mail.house.gov
Restore Ban on Public Funding of Abortion in D.C.!
07/14/2009 09:07 PM Filed in: Abortion
Urgent Action Alert!
Every year since 1989 (except for Fiscal Years 1994 to 1996), Congress has approved the Dornan Amendment to prevent the use of all congressionally appropriated funds for elective abortion in the District of Columbia. Under the U.S. Constitution, Art. 1, Sec. 8, Congress has responsibility to appropriate all funds for the District.
The funding bill that covers D.C. is the Fiscal Year 2010 Financial Services Appropriations Bill (H.R. 3170). The House Appropriations Committee has reported out this bill with language that reverses the Dornan Amendment. The restriction on abortion funding would no longer apply to all funds appropriated under the act, but only to the “federal” funds, leaving the “local” funds available to pay for elective abortion.
H.R. 3170 could be considered on the House floor as early as Wednesday, July 15.
In a letter to the House, Cardinal Justin Rigali, chairman of the Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, argued that this narrowing of the ban to cover only “federal” funds is a bookkeeping exercise: “The impact in terms of human lives will be exactly the same as if the amendment were reversed in its entirety.” He noted that while some may try to defend this action as an aspect of “home rule” for the District, in fact some bans on the use of local District funds for other purposes remain intact in the bill. In reality, this action is about public funding for abortion, and presumably is “the first step in a broader effort to restore such funding throughout the federal government.” Cardinal Rigali concluded his letter by urging Representatives to oppose any effort to enact the bill without restoring current law on D.C. abortion funding.
Time is short! Please contact your Representative immediately!
ACTION: Please contact Representative Earl Pomeroy by e-mail or phone.
Representative Earl Pomeroy
Washington: United States House of Representatives
1501 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Telephone: (202) 225-2611
FAX: (202) 226-0893
Bismarck: Telephone: (701) 224-0355
Fargo: Telephone: (701) 235-9760
rep.earl.pomeroy@mail.house.gov
MESSAGE: “Please vote against the Financial Services Appropriations Bill, H.R. 3170, if it does not restore the ban on all public funding of elective abortions in the District of Columbia. Funding abortion will not reduce but greatly increase the number of abortions.”
WHEN: The House could vote on H.R. 3170 as early as Wednesday, July 15. Please act immediately! Thanks!
Find out more and download the Action Alert!
Every year since 1989 (except for Fiscal Years 1994 to 1996), Congress has approved the Dornan Amendment to prevent the use of all congressionally appropriated funds for elective abortion in the District of Columbia. Under the U.S. Constitution, Art. 1, Sec. 8, Congress has responsibility to appropriate all funds for the District.
The funding bill that covers D.C. is the Fiscal Year 2010 Financial Services Appropriations Bill (H.R. 3170). The House Appropriations Committee has reported out this bill with language that reverses the Dornan Amendment. The restriction on abortion funding would no longer apply to all funds appropriated under the act, but only to the “federal” funds, leaving the “local” funds available to pay for elective abortion.
H.R. 3170 could be considered on the House floor as early as Wednesday, July 15.
In a letter to the House, Cardinal Justin Rigali, chairman of the Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, argued that this narrowing of the ban to cover only “federal” funds is a bookkeeping exercise: “The impact in terms of human lives will be exactly the same as if the amendment were reversed in its entirety.” He noted that while some may try to defend this action as an aspect of “home rule” for the District, in fact some bans on the use of local District funds for other purposes remain intact in the bill. In reality, this action is about public funding for abortion, and presumably is “the first step in a broader effort to restore such funding throughout the federal government.” Cardinal Rigali concluded his letter by urging Representatives to oppose any effort to enact the bill without restoring current law on D.C. abortion funding.
Time is short! Please contact your Representative immediately!
ACTION: Please contact Representative Earl Pomeroy by e-mail or phone.
Representative Earl Pomeroy
Washington: United States House of Representatives
1501 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Telephone: (202) 225-2611
FAX: (202) 226-0893
Bismarck: Telephone: (701) 224-0355
Fargo: Telephone: (701) 235-9760
rep.earl.pomeroy@mail.house.gov
MESSAGE: “Please vote against the Financial Services Appropriations Bill, H.R. 3170, if it does not restore the ban on all public funding of elective abortions in the District of Columbia. Funding abortion will not reduce but greatly increase the number of abortions.”
WHEN: The House could vote on H.R. 3170 as early as Wednesday, July 15. Please act immediately! Thanks!
Find out more and download the Action Alert!
New Caritas in Veritate Action Guide from USCCB
07/14/2009 04:45 PM Filed in: Catholic
Social Teaching
A new document from
USCCB contains suggestions for parishioners on how to
respond to the call of Caritas in Veritate. It is
reproducible and appropriate for parish
bulletins. 
Missed it? Try again!
07/14/2009 04:43 PM Filed in: Catholic
Social Teaching
Interview on
Caritas in
Veritate to
be rebroadcast Saturday, July 18 at 2:00 p.m. Listen
at AM 1370 or AM 1280, or listen on-line at
http://www.youram1370.com/.
New Resources for Caritas in Veritate
07/14/2009 04:10 PM Filed in: Catholic
Social Teaching
Radio Show to Highlight Caritas in Veritate
07/09/2009 02:48 PM Filed in: Catholic
Social Teaching
North
Dakota Catholic Conference executive director Christopher
Dodson will appear on Real Presence Catholic
Radio Monday, July 13 to discuss
Caritas in
Veritate with host Tanya Watterud. The
segment is scheduled for the 10:00 a.m. hour.
Listen at AM 1370 or AM 1280, or listen on-line
at http://www.youram1370.com/.
Health Care Reform Update from Catholic Health Association
07/09/2009 02:45 PM Filed in: Health Care
Hospital Groups Announce Reform Agreement
Catholic Health Association President and CEO Sr. Carol Keehan, DC, joined Vice President Joe Biden and representatives from the American Hospital Association and Federation of American Hospitals at the White House July 8 to announce agreement on financing provisions for health reform legislation still being developed in Congress. The agreement, worked out in negotiations between all three hospital groups, the Administration and the Senate Finance Committee, outlines $155 billion in spending reductions and delivery system reforms over ten years to help support legislation to cover an estimated 95 percent of the population. The agreement represents a substantial reduction from the amount of payment cuts originally proposed by the Administration and also protects hospital payments until there is significant new coverage of the uninsured. In announcing the agreement, the hospital representatives noted that disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments would not be reduced until 2015, and reductions would only occur if coverage expansions actually took place. The agreement also maintains the current community benefit standards for not-for-profit hospitals rather than establishing any new charity care benchmarks.
Even with this development, the Senate Finance Committee still has not finalized the reform legislation and is not expected to do so for at least another week. Outstanding issues include whether to include a public insurance option in the bill, and issues around taxation of employer-sponsored health benefits. Meanwhile, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee continued to consider amendments to its health reform bill, adding long-term care provisions to the bill this week after the Obama Administration urged their inclusion in the final legislation. The HELP Committee bill contains measures outlined in the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act, supported by CHA, and the provisions added this week would establish a voluntary long-term care insurance program to assist adults who are unable to perform two or more daily living activities. The "Tri-Committee" legislation in the House is expected to be finalized at the end of the week, and mark-ups are scheduled to begin next week.
Catholic Health Association President and CEO Sr. Carol Keehan, DC, joined Vice President Joe Biden and representatives from the American Hospital Association and Federation of American Hospitals at the White House July 8 to announce agreement on financing provisions for health reform legislation still being developed in Congress. The agreement, worked out in negotiations between all three hospital groups, the Administration and the Senate Finance Committee, outlines $155 billion in spending reductions and delivery system reforms over ten years to help support legislation to cover an estimated 95 percent of the population. The agreement represents a substantial reduction from the amount of payment cuts originally proposed by the Administration and also protects hospital payments until there is significant new coverage of the uninsured. In announcing the agreement, the hospital representatives noted that disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments would not be reduced until 2015, and reductions would only occur if coverage expansions actually took place. The agreement also maintains the current community benefit standards for not-for-profit hospitals rather than establishing any new charity care benchmarks.
Even with this development, the Senate Finance Committee still has not finalized the reform legislation and is not expected to do so for at least another week. Outstanding issues include whether to include a public insurance option in the bill, and issues around taxation of employer-sponsored health benefits. Meanwhile, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee continued to consider amendments to its health reform bill, adding long-term care provisions to the bill this week after the Obama Administration urged their inclusion in the final legislation. The HELP Committee bill contains measures outlined in the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act, supported by CHA, and the provisions added this week would establish a voluntary long-term care insurance program to assist adults who are unable to perform two or more daily living activities. The "Tri-Committee" legislation in the House is expected to be finalized at the end of the week, and mark-ups are scheduled to begin next week.
Mark Your Calendars!
07/08/2009 11:42 AM Filed in: Health Care
The
North Dakota Catholic Conference will hold its annual
Healthcare Workshop October 15, 2009 at St. Alexius
Medical Center in Bismarck, ND. The topic of this
year's workshop is Healthcare Reform.
The workshop will feature presentations from Jeff Tieman, Senior Director of Health Reform Initiatives at Catholic Health Association, and Christopher Dodson, Executive Director of the North Dakota Catholic Conference.
Registration for this event will begin September 1st and materials will be made available within the next few weeks.
The workshop will feature presentations from Jeff Tieman, Senior Director of Health Reform Initiatives at Catholic Health Association, and Christopher Dodson, Executive Director of the North Dakota Catholic Conference.
Registration for this event will begin September 1st and materials will be made available within the next few weeks.
Cardinal Criticizes Final NIH Guidelines for Destructive Stem Cell Research
07/07/2009 04:07 PM Filed in: Embryonic
stem cell research
WASHINGTON—Cardinal
Justin Rigali, Chairman of the U.S. Catholic
bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities,
reacted today to final guidelines for human embryonic
stem cell research issued yesterday by the National
Institutes of Health (NIH). The text of his statement
follows:
“In April I criticized the NIH’s draft guidelines for destructive embryonic stem cell research, saying that under these guidelines ‘federal tax dollars will be used to encourage destruction of living embryonic human beings for stem cell research – including human beings who otherwise would have survived and been born.’
“The final guidelines issued yesterday are even broader. Parents who are asked to consider having their embryonic children destroyed for research will not even have to be informed about all their other options – only about the options that happen to be available at their particular fertility clinic. Moreover, under the final guidelines, stem cell lines that existed previously or that are produced in foreign countries may be made eligible for federally funded research even if they were obtained in ways that violate one or more of the NIH's own informed consent requirements.
“The comments of tens of thousands of Americans opposing the destruction of innocent human life for stem cell research were simply ignored in this process. Even comments filed by the Catholic bishops’ conference and others against specific abuses in the draft guidelines were not addressed. For example, federally funded researchers will be allowed to insert human embryonic stem cells into the embryos of animal species other than primates; federal grants will be available even to researchers who themselves destroyed human embryos to obtain the stem cells for their research. Existing federal law against funding research in which human embryos are harmed or destroyed is not given due respect here.
“This debate now shifts to Congress, where some members have said even this policy does not go far enough in treating some human beings as objects to be created, manipulated and destroyed for others’ use. I hope Americans concerned about this issue will write to their elected representatives, urging them not to codify or further expand this unethical policy.”
For more information about the USCCB’s “Oppose Destructive Stem Cell Research” campaign, visit www.usccb.org/stemcellcampaign. Cardinal Rigali’s April 21 statement on the draft guidelines is at www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2009/09-087.shtml. The USCCB’s official comment letter of May 22 is at www.usccb.org/prolife/NIHcomments.pdf.
“In April I criticized the NIH’s draft guidelines for destructive embryonic stem cell research, saying that under these guidelines ‘federal tax dollars will be used to encourage destruction of living embryonic human beings for stem cell research – including human beings who otherwise would have survived and been born.’
“The final guidelines issued yesterday are even broader. Parents who are asked to consider having their embryonic children destroyed for research will not even have to be informed about all their other options – only about the options that happen to be available at their particular fertility clinic. Moreover, under the final guidelines, stem cell lines that existed previously or that are produced in foreign countries may be made eligible for federally funded research even if they were obtained in ways that violate one or more of the NIH's own informed consent requirements.
“The comments of tens of thousands of Americans opposing the destruction of innocent human life for stem cell research were simply ignored in this process. Even comments filed by the Catholic bishops’ conference and others against specific abuses in the draft guidelines were not addressed. For example, federally funded researchers will be allowed to insert human embryonic stem cells into the embryos of animal species other than primates; federal grants will be available even to researchers who themselves destroyed human embryos to obtain the stem cells for their research. Existing federal law against funding research in which human embryos are harmed or destroyed is not given due respect here.
“This debate now shifts to Congress, where some members have said even this policy does not go far enough in treating some human beings as objects to be created, manipulated and destroyed for others’ use. I hope Americans concerned about this issue will write to their elected representatives, urging them not to codify or further expand this unethical policy.”
For more information about the USCCB’s “Oppose Destructive Stem Cell Research” campaign, visit www.usccb.org/stemcellcampaign. Cardinal Rigali’s April 21 statement on the draft guidelines is at www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2009/09-087.shtml. The USCCB’s official comment letter of May 22 is at www.usccb.org/prolife/NIHcomments.pdf.
Resources on New Encyclical
07/07/2009 03:04 PM Filed in: Catholic
Social Teaching
Commentators
will use the internet and printed press to weigh-in
on the Pope's new encyclical during the next few days
and weeks. The United States Conference of Catholic
Bishops has developed its own site with information
about
Caritas in Veritate
here.
Be sure to return since more material will be
added.
Cardinal George Welcomes New Encyclical
07/07/2009 12:03 PM Filed in: Catholic
Social Teaching
WASHINGTON—Cardinal
Francis George of Chicago, president of the United
States Conference of Catholic Bishops, said
Caritas in Veritate,
Pope Benedict XVI’s new
encyclical, provides helpful guidance for
finding answers to the social, economic and moral
questions of the contemporary world in a search for
truth.
He commented July 7, when Pope Benedict issued to the world a letter that analyzes the current global economic crisis in light of traditional moral principles. The letter affirms the progress that has been made in world development yet notes that other challenges exist given newly emerging problems in the global society.
The encyclical offers sound reflections on the vocation of human development as well as on the moral principles on which a global economy must be based. It challenges business enterprises, governments, unions and individuals to reexamine their economic responsibilities in the light of charity governed by truth.
This third encyclical of Pope Benedict’s papacy, Caritas in Veritate is a call to see the relationship between human and environmental ecologies, and to link charity and truth in the pursuit of justice, the common good and authentic human development. In doing so, the pope points out the responsibilities and limitations of government and the private market, challenges traditional ideologies of right and left and calls all men and women to think and act anew.
As Pope Benedict noted the world’s current financial straits, he declared that “the current crisis obliges us to re-plan our journey, to set ourselves new rules and to discover new forms of commitment, to build on positive experiences and to reject negative ones. The crisis thus becomes an opportunity for discernment, in which to shape a new vision for the future.” (Italics in document)
He commented July 7, when Pope Benedict issued to the world a letter that analyzes the current global economic crisis in light of traditional moral principles. The letter affirms the progress that has been made in world development yet notes that other challenges exist given newly emerging problems in the global society.
The encyclical offers sound reflections on the vocation of human development as well as on the moral principles on which a global economy must be based. It challenges business enterprises, governments, unions and individuals to reexamine their economic responsibilities in the light of charity governed by truth.
This third encyclical of Pope Benedict’s papacy, Caritas in Veritate is a call to see the relationship between human and environmental ecologies, and to link charity and truth in the pursuit of justice, the common good and authentic human development. In doing so, the pope points out the responsibilities and limitations of government and the private market, challenges traditional ideologies of right and left and calls all men and women to think and act anew.
As Pope Benedict noted the world’s current financial straits, he declared that “the current crisis obliges us to re-plan our journey, to set ourselves new rules and to discover new forms of commitment, to build on positive experiences and to reject negative ones. The crisis thus becomes an opportunity for discernment, in which to shape a new vision for the future.” (Italics in document)
Caritas in Veritate
07/07/2009 08:15 AM Filed in: Catholic
Social Teaching
Brush Up on Your Encyclicals
07/06/2009 09:37 AM Filed in: Catholic
Social Teaching
In preparation for
tomorrow's much anticipated release of Pope
Benedict's new social encyclical, the USCCB has
posted a social encyclical
primer,
looking at key social encyclicals throughout
history.
Celebrate Independence Day and Help Reform Health Care
07/02/2009 09:08 AM Filed in: Health Care
A
call to action from the U.S. Conference of Catholic
Bishops:
The Virtue of Fortitude and Lawmaking
06/30/2009 02:11 PM Filed in: Editorials
Cardinal Protests Move to Fund D.C. Abortions
06/30/2009 02:08 PM Filed in: Abortion
WASHINGTON—Cardinal
Justin Rigali of Philadelphia, chair of the Committee
on Pro-Life Activities for the U.S. Conference of
Catholic Bishops, wrote to members of the House
Appropriations Committee today urging them not to
fund abortions in the District of Columbia. Last week
the House subcommittee considering the Financial
Services appropriations bill for 2010 voted to permit
direct public funding of abortion in the
nation’s capital.
Cardinal Rigali said that the subcommittee’s action “effectively nullifies the Dornan amendment,” which for a total of 18 years has prevented public funding of elective abortions in the District. He said this move, “presumably the first step in a broader effort to restore such funding throughout the federal government,” is misguided for three reasons.
“First, public funding of abortion is rejected by the American people, as numerous surveys of public opinion have shown,” Cardinal Rigali said. He also noted that Catholics recently sent “tens of millions of postcards to their elected representatives in Congress, opposing…any weakening or reversal of current appropriations riders on abortion.”
“Second, no lawmaker or Administration can support such a policy change and still claim to support ‘reducing abortions.’ The evidence is overwhelming, and universally recognized by groups on all sides of the abortion issue, that the availability of public funds for abortion greatly increases abortions,” the bishops’ Pro-Life Committee Chair argued.
“Third, this action takes place as Congress is working to win broad support for a much-needed major reform of our health care system,” Cardinal Rigali noted. “This is the worst of all possible times to be injecting the divisive issue of public abortion funding into the debate on government health policy.”
Cardinal Rigali concluded by urging the full House Appropriations Committee to reverse the subcommittee’s action and retain the funding ban in current law. The full text of his letter is available at: www.usccb.org/prolife/Rigali-DornanAmendment-2009.pdf.
Cardinal Rigali said that the subcommittee’s action “effectively nullifies the Dornan amendment,” which for a total of 18 years has prevented public funding of elective abortions in the District. He said this move, “presumably the first step in a broader effort to restore such funding throughout the federal government,” is misguided for three reasons.
“First, public funding of abortion is rejected by the American people, as numerous surveys of public opinion have shown,” Cardinal Rigali said. He also noted that Catholics recently sent “tens of millions of postcards to their elected representatives in Congress, opposing…any weakening or reversal of current appropriations riders on abortion.”
“Second, no lawmaker or Administration can support such a policy change and still claim to support ‘reducing abortions.’ The evidence is overwhelming, and universally recognized by groups on all sides of the abortion issue, that the availability of public funds for abortion greatly increases abortions,” the bishops’ Pro-Life Committee Chair argued.
“Third, this action takes place as Congress is working to win broad support for a much-needed major reform of our health care system,” Cardinal Rigali noted. “This is the worst of all possible times to be injecting the divisive issue of public abortion funding into the debate on government health policy.”
Cardinal Rigali concluded by urging the full House Appropriations Committee to reverse the subcommittee’s action and retain the funding ban in current law. The full text of his letter is available at: www.usccb.org/prolife/Rigali-DornanAmendment-2009.pdf.
Bishops, Catholic Health Care, Unions find Common Ground on Respecting Rights of Health Care Workers
06/23/2009 09:56 AM Filed in: Health Care
|Economic
Justice
Unprecedented Dialogue among Leaders of Catholic
Health Care, Labor and Bishops leads to
‘Guidance and Options’ on new ways
forward on applying Catholic Teaching in
workplace
WASHINGTON—The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), along with leaders from Catholic health care and the labor movement, released “guidance and options” for creating a fair process for health care workers to decide whether or not to form a union. Outlined in a new document entitled Respecting the Just Rights of Workers: Guidance and Options for Catholic Health Care and Unions, the principles reflect a unique and ground-breaking consensus between Catholic health care employers and unions and are the result of a dialogue that began more than a decade ago. The document can be found on the USCCB Web site at: www.usccb.org/sdwp/national/respecting_the_just_rights_of_workers.pdf
The three-way dialogue was initiated by the USCCB in an effort to find common ground on alternative approaches for carrying out Catholic social teachings on the rights of workers to freely choose whether or not to be represented by unions.
“Though they had different perspectives and points of view in many areas, the participants shared the conviction that it is up to workers—not bishops, hospital managers, or union leaders—to decide how they will be represented in the workplace,” said Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who chaired the dialogue. “This remarkable dialogue produced an unprecedented agreement because of the principles of Catholic social teaching and the quality of the leaders involved.”
The new Guidance and Options document offers seven key principles for appropriate conduct by both employer and union representatives that will help ensure that employees are able to make an informed decision without undue influence or pressure from either side. The document suggests that unions and employers agree, in writing, on the specific ways they will:
Guidance and Options does not bind individual bishops, hospitals or unions. Rather it offers principles and practical alternatives for leaders of Catholic health care and unions who want to avoid the tension and conflict that often accompanies organizing drives. More than 600,000 employees work in nearly 600 Catholic hospitals nationwide.
It took more than two years to reach agreement on the new principles, which build on the recommendations of an initial working paper issued in 1999 by the USCCB Subcommittee on Catholic Health Care and Work. In December 2006, the USCCB reconvened leaders of Catholic health care and unions to develop additional, practical guidance for achieving the recommendations in the original “A Fair and Just Workplace” paper.
“Because Catholic Health Care is a ministry not an industry, how it treats its workers and how organized labor treats Catholic Health Care are not simply internal matters, but should reflect Catholic teaching on work and workers, heath care and the common good,” said Cardinal McCarrick.
WASHINGTON—The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), along with leaders from Catholic health care and the labor movement, released “guidance and options” for creating a fair process for health care workers to decide whether or not to form a union. Outlined in a new document entitled Respecting the Just Rights of Workers: Guidance and Options for Catholic Health Care and Unions, the principles reflect a unique and ground-breaking consensus between Catholic health care employers and unions and are the result of a dialogue that began more than a decade ago. The document can be found on the USCCB Web site at: www.usccb.org/sdwp/national/respecting_the_just_rights_of_workers.pdf
The three-way dialogue was initiated by the USCCB in an effort to find common ground on alternative approaches for carrying out Catholic social teachings on the rights of workers to freely choose whether or not to be represented by unions.
“Though they had different perspectives and points of view in many areas, the participants shared the conviction that it is up to workers—not bishops, hospital managers, or union leaders—to decide how they will be represented in the workplace,” said Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who chaired the dialogue. “This remarkable dialogue produced an unprecedented agreement because of the principles of Catholic social teaching and the quality of the leaders involved.”
The new Guidance and Options document offers seven key principles for appropriate conduct by both employer and union representatives that will help ensure that employees are able to make an informed decision without undue influence or pressure from either side. The document suggests that unions and employers agree, in writing, on the specific ways they will:
- demonstrate respect for each other’s organization and mission,
- provide workers with equal access to information from both sides,
- adhere to standards for truthfulness and balance in their communications,
- create a pressure-free environment,
- allow workers to vote through a fair and expeditious process,
- honor employees’ decision regardless of the outcome, and
- create a system for enforcing these principles during the course of an organizing drive.
Guidance and Options does not bind individual bishops, hospitals or unions. Rather it offers principles and practical alternatives for leaders of Catholic health care and unions who want to avoid the tension and conflict that often accompanies organizing drives. More than 600,000 employees work in nearly 600 Catholic hospitals nationwide.
It took more than two years to reach agreement on the new principles, which build on the recommendations of an initial working paper issued in 1999 by the USCCB Subcommittee on Catholic Health Care and Work. In December 2006, the USCCB reconvened leaders of Catholic health care and unions to develop additional, practical guidance for achieving the recommendations in the original “A Fair and Just Workplace” paper.
“Because Catholic Health Care is a ministry not an industry, how it treats its workers and how organized labor treats Catholic Health Care are not simply internal matters, but should reflect Catholic teaching on work and workers, heath care and the common good,” said Cardinal McCarrick.
CHA Project: I Can't Wait for Health Care Reform
06/22/2009 09:58 AM Filed in: Health Care
A
new video from the Catholic Health
Association:
Learn more about the Catholic Health Association's commitment to health care reform at: www.OurHealthCareValues.org
Go here for more on the bishops' position on health care reform.
Learn more about the Catholic Health Association's commitment to health care reform at: www.OurHealthCareValues.org
Go here for more on the bishops' position on health care reform.
FCC releases report on Broadband Strategy for Rural America
06/15/2009 02:13 PM Filed in: Economic
Justice |Rural Life
From
NCRLC:
While the country made the complete switch this weekend from analog to digital broadcast television, many parts of rural America are waiting for broadband services. Michael J. Copps, Acting Federal Communications Commission Chairman, has released a report concluding that all rural Americans must have the opportunity to benefit from broadband services. It provides a starting point for developing policies on extending broadband to rural areas.
The report can be read at http://wireless.fcc.gov/outreach/index.htm?job=broadband_home
While the country made the complete switch this weekend from analog to digital broadcast television, many parts of rural America are waiting for broadband services. Michael J. Copps, Acting Federal Communications Commission Chairman, has released a report concluding that all rural Americans must have the opportunity to benefit from broadband services. It provides a starting point for developing policies on extending broadband to rural areas.
The report can be read at http://wireless.fcc.gov/outreach/index.htm?job=broadband_home
Affordable Health Insurance Elusive in Rural America
06/15/2009 02:09 PM Filed in: Health Care
|Rural Life
From
NCRLC:
Family farmers and ranchers are considered small business owners and do not qualify for competitive health insurance rates. You can hear the challenges faced by Iowa farmer Linus Solberg in a story that aired this past weekend on National Public Radio.
You will also hear from Larry Harbour, an entrepreneur and rural small business owner in Nebraska. Larry is one accident away from losing it all. Insurance would cost his family at least $24,000 per year, so he and his wife go without.
Small business is the backbone of rural America, and Center for Rural Affairs Research Director Jon Bailey reports in the story that if you work for or own a small business, you are more likely to have inadequate health insurance, or none at all.
Family farmers and ranchers are considered small business owners and do not qualify for competitive health insurance rates. You can hear the challenges faced by Iowa farmer Linus Solberg in a story that aired this past weekend on National Public Radio.
You will also hear from Larry Harbour, an entrepreneur and rural small business owner in Nebraska. Larry is one accident away from losing it all. Insurance would cost his family at least $24,000 per year, so he and his wife go without.
Small business is the backbone of rural America, and Center for Rural Affairs Research Director Jon Bailey reports in the story that if you work for or own a small business, you are more likely to have inadequate health insurance, or none at all.
Help for Immigrants -Yes Same-Sex Agenda - No
06/02/2009 02:28 PM Filed in: Migration
|Marriage and
Family
BISHOPS SUPPORT FAMILY REUNIFICATION SENATE BILL, NOT
ABLE TO SUPPORT SIMILAR HOUSE
LEGISLATION
WASHINGTON—Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Migration, expressed the Committee’s support for the Reuniting American Families Act (S. 1085) introduced May 20. He did so in a June 2 letter to Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ).
The Act proposes reforms to the family-based immigration system that would allow immigrant families to more quickly reunite in the United States.
“Family reunification has represented the cornerstone of the U.S. immigration system, and should remain its central tenet in the future,” Bishop Wester said. He stressed that the United States “should resist proposals which would erode the family-based immigration system.”
Bishop Wester emphasized the importance of ensuring that the nuclear family stays together. “It is extremely important that barriers that keep the nuclear family—husband, wife and child—divided are removed as soon as possible,” he said, adding that S. 1085 “achieves this goal.”
Bishop Wester also issued a second letter indicating that the bishops’ Committee on Migration is not supporting similar legislation in the House. In a June 2 letter to Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA), Bishop Wester wrote: “As you know, the USCCB supported H.R. 6638, similar legislation that you introduced during the 110th Congress. Unfortunately, however, while the bishops support many of the provisions in the Reuniting Families Act, your decision to include in the bill the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), which would provide marriage-like immigration benefits to same sex relationships, makes it impossible for the bishops to support this year’s version of your bill.”
Bishop Wester noted that UAFA “would erode the institution of marriage and family” and called it “a position that is contrary to the very nature of marriage which pre-dates the Church and the state.” Consequently, he indicated that the Committee is instead offering its strong endorsement to the Senate version.
Among other provisions, S. 1085 would enable the immediate relatives (husbands, wives, and children) of legal permanent residents to legally enter the country more quickly; recapture family visas from prior years that were lost to bureaucratic delay; reduce family-visa backlogs from sending countries; and ensure that the widows and orphans of legal permanent residents are able to remain in the United States.
Bishop Wester also said that “Positive changes in the family-based immigration categories, such as those included in S. 1085, should be a central feature of any comprehensive immigration reform effort.”
WASHINGTON—Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Migration, expressed the Committee’s support for the Reuniting American Families Act (S. 1085) introduced May 20. He did so in a June 2 letter to Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ).
The Act proposes reforms to the family-based immigration system that would allow immigrant families to more quickly reunite in the United States.
“Family reunification has represented the cornerstone of the U.S. immigration system, and should remain its central tenet in the future,” Bishop Wester said. He stressed that the United States “should resist proposals which would erode the family-based immigration system.”
Bishop Wester emphasized the importance of ensuring that the nuclear family stays together. “It is extremely important that barriers that keep the nuclear family—husband, wife and child—divided are removed as soon as possible,” he said, adding that S. 1085 “achieves this goal.”
Bishop Wester also issued a second letter indicating that the bishops’ Committee on Migration is not supporting similar legislation in the House. In a June 2 letter to Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA), Bishop Wester wrote: “As you know, the USCCB supported H.R. 6638, similar legislation that you introduced during the 110th Congress. Unfortunately, however, while the bishops support many of the provisions in the Reuniting Families Act, your decision to include in the bill the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), which would provide marriage-like immigration benefits to same sex relationships, makes it impossible for the bishops to support this year’s version of your bill.”
Bishop Wester noted that UAFA “would erode the institution of marriage and family” and called it “a position that is contrary to the very nature of marriage which pre-dates the Church and the state.” Consequently, he indicated that the Committee is instead offering its strong endorsement to the Senate version.
Among other provisions, S. 1085 would enable the immediate relatives (husbands, wives, and children) of legal permanent residents to legally enter the country more quickly; recapture family visas from prior years that were lost to bureaucratic delay; reduce family-visa backlogs from sending countries; and ensure that the widows and orphans of legal permanent residents are able to remain in the United States.
Bishop Wester also said that “Positive changes in the family-based immigration categories, such as those included in S. 1085, should be a central feature of any comprehensive immigration reform effort.”
Death of Charlene Crommett
06/01/2009 05:30 PM
Charlene
Crommett, age 55, died on Saturday, May 30, 2009.
Charlene had worked in the Pro-Life Office of the
Diocese of Fargo and was a member of the North Dakota
Catholic Conference's Holiness of Human Life
Committee. Visitation is tonight from 5 pm to 7 pm,
with a prayer service at 7 pm, at Fredrikson Funeral
Chapel in Kindred. The funeral Mass will be at 2 pm
on Tuesday, June 2, 2009 at St. Maurice’s
Church in Kindred. May our Lord grant her eternal
rest and comfort her family and friends.
U.S. Bishops Express "Profound Regret" About Shooting Death of Abortion Doctor
06/01/2009 05:29 PM
WASHINGTON—Speaking
on behalf of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops,
Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia, chairman of
the bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities,
expressed profound regret upon learning of the
shooting death of abortion doctor George Tiller.
"Our bishops' conference and all its members have repeatedly and publicly denounced all forms of violence in our society, including abortion as well as the misguided resort to violence by anyone opposed to abortion," Cardinal Rigali said. "Such killing is the opposite of everything we stand for, and everything we want our culture to stand for: respect for the life of each and every human being from its beginning to its natural end. We pray for Dr. Tiller and his family."
"Our bishops' conference and all its members have repeatedly and publicly denounced all forms of violence in our society, including abortion as well as the misguided resort to violence by anyone opposed to abortion," Cardinal Rigali said. "Such killing is the opposite of everything we stand for, and everything we want our culture to stand for: respect for the life of each and every human being from its beginning to its natural end. We pray for Dr. Tiller and his family."
USCCB Submits Proposal to NIH on Stem Cell Guidelines
05/22/2009 02:31 PM Filed in: Embryonic
stem cell research
WASHINGTON—The
National Institutes of Health (NIH) missed “an
enormous opportunity to show how sound science and
responsible ethics can not only co-exist but support
and enrich each other,” said Msgr. David
Malloy, General Secretary of the U.S. Conference of
Catholic Bishops (USCCB), in comments on draft
guidelines to authorize federally funded human
embryonic stem cell research. The comments were
submitted during the official public comment period
on the proposed guidelines, which ends May 26. The
Conference has also provided a convenient way for
other concerned citizens to submit comments to the
NIH on this issue, by visiting the Web site
www.usccb.org/stemcellcampaign.
Msgr. Malloy cited the dignity of human life at every stage and the innate human right not to be subjected to harmful experimentation without one’s express and informed consent. He said laws that fail to recognize this right “do not succeed in nullifying the right in question, but only call into question their own moral legitimacy.”
Msgr. Malloy higlighted the “central fact of science” relevant to the issue of embryonic stem cell research, that the embryo that will be destroyed to obtain embryonic stem cells “is a human being at a very early stage of his or her development.”
This is not a matter of religious belief, he said, but a fact acknowledged by federal advisory groups on this issue, including the National Bioethics Advisory Commission appointed by President Clinton. This group concluded that because human embryos deserve “respect” as a form of human life, destroying them for stem cells is “justifiable only if no less morally problematic alternatives are available for advancing the research.”
Msgr. Malloy added that alternative methods of stem cell research, such as reprogramming ordinary adult cells into “induced pluripotent stem cells” (iPS cells) without harming human life, have made great advances under a federal policy preventing researchers from destroying live human embryos for federally funded research.
“Yet President Obama’s executive order of March 9 not only rescinded that policy, but also rescinded the executive order of 2007 instructing the NIH to thoroughly explore new avenues for obtaining pluripotent stem cells without destroying human embryos,” Msgr. Malloy said. “Both science and ethics have been ignored in this decision.”
Msgr. Malloy said the President’s executive order and the draft guidelines fail the Bioethics Commission’s test, “by failing to require that morally unproblematic avenues for exploring important medical research goals be thoroughly investigated before the NIH considers any avenues that require destroying embryonic human life.”
“Avenues of stem cell research which pose no moral problem are now showing great promise. In fact, human patients suffering from all the conditions cited by President Obama when he signed his executive order – cancer, juvenile diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injury, heart disease – have been shown in peer-reviewed studies to benefit from clinical trials using human stem cells,” he said. “And in every case, the benefit has come not from embryonic stem cells, but from the adult and cord blood stem cells that this organization and others have said should receive priority attention.”
Msgr. Malloy expressed relief the proposed guidelines do not seek to fund research in which embryos are created for the purpose of research, but explained how “in key respects the Guidelines are nonetheless broader or more permissive than any policy approved in the past by any branch of the federal government..” He also asked the Obama Administration to “make a clear and authoritative statement, as the Clinton Administration did, that it will never fund research that relies on the creation of human embryos for research purposes.”
“As the President noted,” Msgr. Malloy said, “we must not make ‘a false choice between sound science and moral values.’ In fact, these sources of guidance both point in the same direction, away from destructive embryonic stem cell research. His executive order and these Guidelines nonetheless insist on a course of action that is both morally objectionable and, increasingly, scientifically obsolete.”
Noting that prominent stem cell researchers have recently expressed their own moral misgivings about destroying human embryos for research, Msgr. Malloy concluded, “This is not merely a political or ideological problem, or a problem of religious dogma, but a deeply human problem: We are testing the limits of our obligation to treat all fellow human beings, of every age and condition, with basic respect.”
The full text of the comments to NIH regarding the draft guidelines can be found online at www.usccb.org/prolife/NIHcomments.pdf.
---
Msgr. Malloy cited the dignity of human life at every stage and the innate human right not to be subjected to harmful experimentation without one’s express and informed consent. He said laws that fail to recognize this right “do not succeed in nullifying the right in question, but only call into question their own moral legitimacy.”
Msgr. Malloy higlighted the “central fact of science” relevant to the issue of embryonic stem cell research, that the embryo that will be destroyed to obtain embryonic stem cells “is a human being at a very early stage of his or her development.”
This is not a matter of religious belief, he said, but a fact acknowledged by federal advisory groups on this issue, including the National Bioethics Advisory Commission appointed by President Clinton. This group concluded that because human embryos deserve “respect” as a form of human life, destroying them for stem cells is “justifiable only if no less morally problematic alternatives are available for advancing the research.”
Msgr. Malloy added that alternative methods of stem cell research, such as reprogramming ordinary adult cells into “induced pluripotent stem cells” (iPS cells) without harming human life, have made great advances under a federal policy preventing researchers from destroying live human embryos for federally funded research.
“Yet President Obama’s executive order of March 9 not only rescinded that policy, but also rescinded the executive order of 2007 instructing the NIH to thoroughly explore new avenues for obtaining pluripotent stem cells without destroying human embryos,” Msgr. Malloy said. “Both science and ethics have been ignored in this decision.”
Msgr. Malloy said the President’s executive order and the draft guidelines fail the Bioethics Commission’s test, “by failing to require that morally unproblematic avenues for exploring important medical research goals be thoroughly investigated before the NIH considers any avenues that require destroying embryonic human life.”
“Avenues of stem cell research which pose no moral problem are now showing great promise. In fact, human patients suffering from all the conditions cited by President Obama when he signed his executive order – cancer, juvenile diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injury, heart disease – have been shown in peer-reviewed studies to benefit from clinical trials using human stem cells,” he said. “And in every case, the benefit has come not from embryonic stem cells, but from the adult and cord blood stem cells that this organization and others have said should receive priority attention.”
Msgr. Malloy expressed relief the proposed guidelines do not seek to fund research in which embryos are created for the purpose of research, but explained how “in key respects the Guidelines are nonetheless broader or more permissive than any policy approved in the past by any branch of the federal government..” He also asked the Obama Administration to “make a clear and authoritative statement, as the Clinton Administration did, that it will never fund research that relies on the creation of human embryos for research purposes.”
“As the President noted,” Msgr. Malloy said, “we must not make ‘a false choice between sound science and moral values.’ In fact, these sources of guidance both point in the same direction, away from destructive embryonic stem cell research. His executive order and these Guidelines nonetheless insist on a course of action that is both morally objectionable and, increasingly, scientifically obsolete.”
Noting that prominent stem cell researchers have recently expressed their own moral misgivings about destroying human embryos for research, Msgr. Malloy concluded, “This is not merely a political or ideological problem, or a problem of religious dogma, but a deeply human problem: We are testing the limits of our obligation to treat all fellow human beings, of every age and condition, with basic respect.”
The full text of the comments to NIH regarding the draft guidelines can be found online at www.usccb.org/prolife/NIHcomments.pdf.
---
Bishops Renew Call for Health Care Reform
05/22/2009 02:29 PM Filed in: Health Care
WASHINGTON—Expressing
hope that the current dialogue would bring about real
reform, Bishop William F. Murphy of Rockville Centre,
N.Y. offered the U.S. bishops’ principles and
criteria for health care reform in a May 20 statement
to the Senate Committee on Finance’s Roundtable
Discussion on “Expanding Health Care
Coverage.” On May 21, the U.S. Conference of
Catholic Bishops (USCCB) sent letters expressing the
same message to the House, Senate and White House.
Bishop Murphy, chairman of the Committee on Domestic Social Justice and Human Development of the USCCB, noted that the bishops “have been and continue to be consistent advocates for comprehensive health care reform leading to accessible and affordable health care for all,” renewing the bishops’ long-term support for health care reform.
Saying it involves fundamental issues of human life and dignity, Bishop Murphy called health care a “critical component” of the ministry of the Catholic Church.
“The Church provides health care, purchases health care and picks up the pieces of a failing health care system,” Bishop Murphy said. “The Catholic community encounters and serves the sick and uninsured in our emergency rooms, shelters and on the doorsteps of our parishes. One out of six patients is cared for in Catholic hospitals. We bring strong convictions and everyday experience to the issue of health care.”
Bishop Murphy added that Congress should continue the federal funding prohibition on abortions and noted that, “No health care reform plan should compel us or others to pay for or participate in the destruction of human life.” Bishop Murphy further stated, “To preserve this principle is morally right and politically wise as well. No health care legislation that compels Americans to pay for or participate in abortion will find sufficient votes to pass.”
He offered on behalf of the U.S. bishops, principles and criteria for health care reform. These included respect for life, priority concern for the poor, access for all, comprehensive benefits, equitable financing, pluralism and freedom of conscience.
Noting that the U.S. bishops look forward to working with Congress on this issue, Bishop Murphy added, “Health care is a social good, and accessible and affordable health care for all benefits both individuals and the society as a whole. The moral measure of any health care reform proposal is whether it offers affordable and accessible health care to all, beginning with those most in need. This can be a matter of life or death, of dignity or deprivation.”
The full text of Bishop Murphy’s statement is available online at http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/national/2009-05-usccb-health-care-statement.pdf.
Bishop Murphy, chairman of the Committee on Domestic Social Justice and Human Development of the USCCB, noted that the bishops “have been and continue to be consistent advocates for comprehensive health care reform leading to accessible and affordable health care for all,” renewing the bishops’ long-term support for health care reform.
Saying it involves fundamental issues of human life and dignity, Bishop Murphy called health care a “critical component” of the ministry of the Catholic Church.
“The Church provides health care, purchases health care and picks up the pieces of a failing health care system,” Bishop Murphy said. “The Catholic community encounters and serves the sick and uninsured in our emergency rooms, shelters and on the doorsteps of our parishes. One out of six patients is cared for in Catholic hospitals. We bring strong convictions and everyday experience to the issue of health care.”
Bishop Murphy added that Congress should continue the federal funding prohibition on abortions and noted that, “No health care reform plan should compel us or others to pay for or participate in the destruction of human life.” Bishop Murphy further stated, “To preserve this principle is morally right and politically wise as well. No health care legislation that compels Americans to pay for or participate in abortion will find sufficient votes to pass.”
He offered on behalf of the U.S. bishops, principles and criteria for health care reform. These included respect for life, priority concern for the poor, access for all, comprehensive benefits, equitable financing, pluralism and freedom of conscience.
Noting that the U.S. bishops look forward to working with Congress on this issue, Bishop Murphy added, “Health care is a social good, and accessible and affordable health care for all benefits both individuals and the society as a whole. The moral measure of any health care reform proposal is whether it offers affordable and accessible health care to all, beginning with those most in need. This can be a matter of life or death, of dignity or deprivation.”
The full text of Bishop Murphy’s statement is available online at http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/national/2009-05-usccb-health-care-statement.pdf.
New Web site views economic crisis through lens of Catholic faith
05/22/2009 10:03 AM Filed in: Economic
Justice
WASHINGTON—In
response to the current economic crisis and its moral
and human impacts, a new USCCB Web site has been
developed to better share Catholic social teaching on
economic life and how it can shape the responses of
Catholics to the economic crisis.
Catholic Teaching on Economic Life (www.usccb.org/jphd/economiclife) features the ten-point “A Catholic Framework for Economic Life,” which is downloadable in handout form. The Web site is sponsored by the Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
The site includes statements on economic life from both the U.S. bishops and Pope Benedict XVI and the Holy See, ideas for parishes, stories of groups responding to the crisis, prayer guides, Podcasts, videos, and even an interactive quiz. The site also features a database of information on issues related to the crisis, including health, housing, labor, and trade. All resources are designed for practical use on the parish level for making sense of the economic crisis.
Bishop William F. Murphy of Rockville Centre, N.Y., chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee of Domestic Social Justice and Human Development, outlined a central theme in a letter to the nation’s leaders:
“This crisis involves far more than just economic or technical matters, but has enormous human impact and clear ethical dimensions which should be at the center of debate and decisions on how to move forward. Families are losing their homes. Retirement savings are at risk. People are losing jobs and benefits. Economic arrangements, structures and remedies should have as a fundamental purpose safeguarding human life and dignity.”
"Our hope is that Catholics across the United States can use these new resources to understand the economic crisis in the light of Church teaching on economic life. One of the central themes of this teaching is that the dignity of the human person always comes first. This is a message of hope in tough economic times,” said John Carr, Executive Director of the Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development.
To view the new Web site, go to www.usccb.org/jphd/economiclife.
Catholic Teaching on Economic Life (www.usccb.org/jphd/economiclife) features the ten-point “A Catholic Framework for Economic Life,” which is downloadable in handout form. The Web site is sponsored by the Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
The site includes statements on economic life from both the U.S. bishops and Pope Benedict XVI and the Holy See, ideas for parishes, stories of groups responding to the crisis, prayer guides, Podcasts, videos, and even an interactive quiz. The site also features a database of information on issues related to the crisis, including health, housing, labor, and trade. All resources are designed for practical use on the parish level for making sense of the economic crisis.
Bishop William F. Murphy of Rockville Centre, N.Y., chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee of Domestic Social Justice and Human Development, outlined a central theme in a letter to the nation’s leaders:
“This crisis involves far more than just economic or technical matters, but has enormous human impact and clear ethical dimensions which should be at the center of debate and decisions on how to move forward. Families are losing their homes. Retirement savings are at risk. People are losing jobs and benefits. Economic arrangements, structures and remedies should have as a fundamental purpose safeguarding human life and dignity.”
"Our hope is that Catholics across the United States can use these new resources to understand the economic crisis in the light of Church teaching on economic life. One of the central themes of this teaching is that the dignity of the human person always comes first. This is a message of hope in tough economic times,” said John Carr, Executive Director of the Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development.
To view the new Web site, go to www.usccb.org/jphd/economiclife.
North Dakota to Set Up Health Care Directives Registry
05/18/2009 04:17 PM Filed in: Health Care
Midwest Rural Assembly
05/18/2009 09:50 AM Filed in: Rural Life
From NCRLC:
Midwest Rural Assembly set for August 10-11
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
As a sponsoring organization, NCRLC is excited about the Midwest Rural Assembly happening August 10-11 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This regional meeting will build on the policy work of the National Rural Assembly and link grassroots groups and community leaders with members of Congress and USDA staff. This is also an opportunity to share information and strategies to advance a sustainable rural development agenda for the greater Midwest region.
FYI: Besides a sponsoring organization of the Midwest Rural Assembly, NCRLC also participated in last summer's National Rural Assembly. That Assembly's founding document, the Rural Compact, and its Policy Opportunity Snapshots (pdf) have helped to raise both the visibility and the volume of our grassroots efforts with Congress and the new Administration.
Midwest Rural Assembly set for August 10-11
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
As a sponsoring organization, NCRLC is excited about the Midwest Rural Assembly happening August 10-11 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This regional meeting will build on the policy work of the National Rural Assembly and link grassroots groups and community leaders with members of Congress and USDA staff. This is also an opportunity to share information and strategies to advance a sustainable rural development agenda for the greater Midwest region.
FYI: Besides a sponsoring organization of the Midwest Rural Assembly, NCRLC also participated in last summer's National Rural Assembly. That Assembly's founding document, the Rural Compact, and its Policy Opportunity Snapshots (pdf) have helped to raise both the visibility and the volume of our grassroots efforts with Congress and the new Administration.
Most Americans Pro-Life
05/15/2009 12:38 PM Filed in: Abortion
A new Gallup poll shows that for the
first time since 1995 most Americans consider
themselves "pro-life." The results should not surprise
those who have paid attention to the trend in recent
years toward a culture of life. See the Gallup poll results
here.
The Fight for Education - Story from the Plains
05/15/2009 11:51 AM Filed in: Education
Like
the families in D.C., the families of the Turtle
Mountain Indian Reservation in North Dakota also face
obstacles when it comes to education. Check out this
story on St. Anne's Catholic School.
The Fight for Education - Story from D.C.
05/15/2009 11:47 AM Filed in: Education
The
families of Washington, D.C. are in a tough political
fight to preserve the nation's only federally-funded
voucher program -- a successful program by all
accounts. Check out and share this must-see video
about their struggle for education.
Bishops Issue Statement on First Anniversary of Postville Enforcement Actions, Continue Call for Immigration Reform
05/11/2009 04:01 PM Filed in: Migration
WASHINGTON—To
commemorate the first anniversary of the Postville,
Iowa, immigration worksite enforcement action, Bishop
John C. Wester, chairman of the U.S. Conference of
Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on Migration
released a statement recalling the humanitarian cost
of such actions and calling, once again, for the
reform of our nation immigration policies.
“My brother Catholic bishops and I understand and support the right and responsibility of government to enforce law,” said Bishop Wester. “We strongly believe, however, that worksite enforcement raids do not solve the challenge of illegal immigration. Instead they lead to the separation of U.S. families and the destruction of immigrant communities. ”
Bishop Wester called families to pray for “those hurt by the raid and to work for comprehensive immigration reform so that others will not face similar pain and cruelty in the future.”
“The Postville action of a year ago is a disturbing reminder of the need to repair the nation’s broken immigration policies,” said Bishop Wester.
Read Bishop Wester’s statement.
“My brother Catholic bishops and I understand and support the right and responsibility of government to enforce law,” said Bishop Wester. “We strongly believe, however, that worksite enforcement raids do not solve the challenge of illegal immigration. Instead they lead to the separation of U.S. families and the destruction of immigrant communities. ”
Bishop Wester called families to pray for “those hurt by the raid and to work for comprehensive immigration reform so that others will not face similar pain and cruelty in the future.”
“The Postville action of a year ago is a disturbing reminder of the need to repair the nation’s broken immigration policies,” said Bishop Wester.
Read Bishop Wester’s statement.
BISHOPS URGE CATHOLICS TO CONTACT CONGRESS AND NIH: OPPOSE DESTRUCTIVE STEM CELL RESEARCH
05/09/2009 04:26 PM Filed in: Embryonic
stem cell research
WASHINGTON—The
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)
launched a new “Oppose Destructive Stem Cell
Research” campaign today, equipping citizens to
contact Congress and the National Institutes of
Health (NIH) to oppose embryonic stem cell research
and support ethical cures and treatments “we
can all live with.” The campaign is facilitated
by the USCCB’s partner organization, the
National Committee for a Human Life Amendment.
Following President Obama’s March 9 executive order, the NIH proposed guidelines for federally funded research that will require destroying live human embryos for their stem cells. The draft guidelines are open for public comment through May 26.
The campaign homepage, www.usccb.org/stemcellcampaign, summarizes why the proposed guidelines are unacceptable, provides links to USCCB resources (including the bishops’ statement “On Embryonic Stem Cell Research” and multi-media resources and ads), and encourages web users to “Contact Congress & NIH Now” through an e-mail interface. Several resources are available in both English and Spanish.
The campaign site explains that the NIH guidelines “would—for the first time—use taxpayer funds to encourage the killing of embryonic human beings for their stem cells.” It continues, “Embryonic stem cell research treats innocent human beings as mere sources of body parts, as commodities for our use.”
The webpage features a video of Cardinal Justin Rigali, chairman of the bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, critiquing the draft guidelines.
“The Catholic bishops of the United States will be writing to Congress and the Administration about the need to restore and maintain barriers against the mistreatment of human life in the name of science, and we urge other concerned citizens to do the same,” Cardinal Rigali said.
Catholics and other citizens are urged to contact both NIH and Congress because members of Congress and the Administration have expressed interest in pursuing an even broader policy. “They want to obtain stem cells by destroying human embryos specially generated for research through in vitro fertilization (IVF) or cloning procedures – a ‘create to kill’ policy,” the campaign page explains.
Those who want to call for stem cell research and cures “we can all live with” may speak out by visiting www.usccb.org/stemcellcampaign and clicking on “Contact Congress & NIH Now.”
Following President Obama’s March 9 executive order, the NIH proposed guidelines for federally funded research that will require destroying live human embryos for their stem cells. The draft guidelines are open for public comment through May 26.
The campaign homepage, www.usccb.org/stemcellcampaign, summarizes why the proposed guidelines are unacceptable, provides links to USCCB resources (including the bishops’ statement “On Embryonic Stem Cell Research” and multi-media resources and ads), and encourages web users to “Contact Congress & NIH Now” through an e-mail interface. Several resources are available in both English and Spanish.
The campaign site explains that the NIH guidelines “would—for the first time—use taxpayer funds to encourage the killing of embryonic human beings for their stem cells.” It continues, “Embryonic stem cell research treats innocent human beings as mere sources of body parts, as commodities for our use.”
The webpage features a video of Cardinal Justin Rigali, chairman of the bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, critiquing the draft guidelines.
“The Catholic bishops of the United States will be writing to Congress and the Administration about the need to restore and maintain barriers against the mistreatment of human life in the name of science, and we urge other concerned citizens to do the same,” Cardinal Rigali said.
Catholics and other citizens are urged to contact both NIH and Congress because members of Congress and the Administration have expressed interest in pursuing an even broader policy. “They want to obtain stem cells by destroying human embryos specially generated for research through in vitro fertilization (IVF) or cloning procedures – a ‘create to kill’ policy,” the campaign page explains.
Those who want to call for stem cell research and cures “we can all live with” may speak out by visiting www.usccb.org/stemcellcampaign and clicking on “Contact Congress & NIH Now.”
Legislative Session Finished
05/09/2009 04:24 PM Filed in: Legislature
The North
Dakota Legislative Assembly has finished its work.
That does not mean, however, that there will not be
more work to do. Federal issues will need our
attention as well as the implementation of state laws
passed during the just concluded session.
Stay tuned.
Stay tuned.
Action Alert: SCHIP
04/24/2009 08:34 AM Filed in: Health Care
|Legislature
Contact Your Representatives and Ask them to Help
North Dakota's Children --
Vote Yes on HB 1478
The North Dakota House of
Representatives will soon vote on HB
1478 which would expand the
current State Children's Health Insurance Program.
A conference committee met today on the bill,
and we need to urge Representatives to support the
Conference Committee report, which expands the
program to cover children of the working poor who do
not have health insurance up to 200% of the federal
poverty level.
When:
Contacts are
needed Immediately in
support of this effort.
Message: Please support the
Conference Committee report on HB 1478.
When: Immediately.
Who: North Dakota
Representatives
Where: 1-888-NDLEGIS (635-3447)
or 701-328-3373 (local) or e-mail
at the address listed at the Legislative Council
website.
More
information on contacting your
legislators.
No Voice at the Table?
04/20/2009 01:26 PM Filed in: Education
|Legislature
North Dakota Legislative Assembly to nonpublic
schools:
Oh, and one more thing -- you can’t have a seat at the table when it comes to deciding the future of North Dakota’s educational system.
That is apparently the view of some legislators who are resisting allowing a representative from nonpublic schools to sit on the new North Dakota Commission on Education Improvement - even as a nonvoting member.
The commission is part of the massive House Bill 1400, a major overhaul of the state's education system. The Senate Appropriations Committee saw the justice involved and added a nonvoting representative from the nonpublic schools to the commission. Some legislators, however, oppose having any nonpublic representation on the commission.
Contact HB 1400's conference committee members and urge them to support including a nonpublic school representative on the Commission for Education Improvement.
Sen. Layton Freborg,R-Underwood (lfreborg@nd.gov);
Sen. Tim Flakoll, R-Fargo (lflakoll@nd.gov)
Sen. Ryan Taylor, D-Towner (rtaylor@nd.gov)
Rep. RaeAnn Kelsch, R-Mandan (rkelsch@nd.gov)
Rep. John Wall, R-Wahpeton (jwall@nd.gov)
Rep. Phil Mueller, D-Valley City (pmueller@nd.gov)
- You can’t open a school without state approval;
- We will tell you what subjects you must teach;
- All of your teachers and principals must be licensed by the state;
Oh, and one more thing -- you can’t have a seat at the table when it comes to deciding the future of North Dakota’s educational system.
That is apparently the view of some legislators who are resisting allowing a representative from nonpublic schools to sit on the new North Dakota Commission on Education Improvement - even as a nonvoting member.
The commission is part of the massive House Bill 1400, a major overhaul of the state's education system. The Senate Appropriations Committee saw the justice involved and added a nonvoting representative from the nonpublic schools to the commission. Some legislators, however, oppose having any nonpublic representation on the commission.
Contact HB 1400's conference committee members and urge them to support including a nonpublic school representative on the Commission for Education Improvement.
Sen. Layton Freborg,R-Underwood (lfreborg@nd.gov);
Sen. Tim Flakoll, R-Fargo (lflakoll@nd.gov)
Sen. Ryan Taylor, D-Towner (rtaylor@nd.gov)
Rep. RaeAnn Kelsch, R-Mandan (rkelsch@nd.gov)
Rep. John Wall, R-Wahpeton (jwall@nd.gov)
Rep. Phil Mueller, D-Valley City (pmueller@nd.gov)
Governor Signs Abortion, Human Trafficking Bills
On
April 8, Governor Hoeven signed into law:
- SB 2265, which requires a notice to be posted at abortion facilities informing women of the right not to be coerced into an abortion; and
- SB 2209, which prohibits human trafficking.
New Poll Shows Strong Support for Conscience Rights
WASHINGTON—A
nationwide poll conducted on March 23-25 found that
87 percent of adults surveyed believe it is important
to “make sure that healthcare professionals in
America are not forced to participate in procedures
and practices to which they have moral
objections.” Conducted by the polling
company™, inc./WomanTrend on behalf of the
Christian Medical Association (CMA), the survey also
showed majority support even among self-identified
“pro-choice” respondents for the
two-month-old conscience protection regulation now at
risk of being rescinded by the Department of Health
and Human Services (HHS). Deirdre McQuade,
spokeswoman on abortion at the U.S. Conference of
Catholic Bishops (USCCB), welcomed the data and urged
HHS to keep the current regulation in place.
“The Obama administration has moved to rescind a vital HHS regulation protecting the conscience rights of health care providers,” McQuade said, “But according to this new survey, the majority of Americans—whether ‘pro-life’ or ‘pro-choice’, male or female, Republican or Democratic—support the regulation and oppose its rescission.”
The survey summary and methodology are available at www.freedom2care.org. The Freedom2Care Coalition is an ad hoc coalition organized by the CMA to defend the conscience rights of health care professionals and students.
The USCCB and Freedom2Care are helping Americans voice their support for the regulations by midnight April 9 when the public comment period draws to a close. To date, a total of over 73,000 e-mail messages have been sent to HHS through Freedom2Care.org and the USCCB’s e-mail campaign facilitated by its partner organization, the National Committee for a Human Life Amendment.
“Only one day remains to defend the existing regulation,” McQuade explained. “I urge all concerned citizens to e-mail HHS and pray for the protection of conscience rights.”
The USCCB has advocated for the strongest possible protection for conscience rights since the current regulation was first considered in the summer of 2008. For additional resources, including links to the e-mail campaign and bi-lingual YouTube videos of medical professionals and USCCB president Cardinal Francis George, visit: www.usccb.org/conscienceprotection.
“The Obama administration has moved to rescind a vital HHS regulation protecting the conscience rights of health care providers,” McQuade said, “But according to this new survey, the majority of Americans—whether ‘pro-life’ or ‘pro-choice’, male or female, Republican or Democratic—support the regulation and oppose its rescission.”
The survey summary and methodology are available at www.freedom2care.org. The Freedom2Care Coalition is an ad hoc coalition organized by the CMA to defend the conscience rights of health care professionals and students.
The USCCB and Freedom2Care are helping Americans voice their support for the regulations by midnight April 9 when the public comment period draws to a close. To date, a total of over 73,000 e-mail messages have been sent to HHS through Freedom2Care.org and the USCCB’s e-mail campaign facilitated by its partner organization, the National Committee for a Human Life Amendment.
“Only one day remains to defend the existing regulation,” McQuade explained. “I urge all concerned citizens to e-mail HHS and pray for the protection of conscience rights.”
The USCCB has advocated for the strongest possible protection for conscience rights since the current regulation was first considered in the summer of 2008. For additional resources, including links to the e-mail campaign and bi-lingual YouTube videos of medical professionals and USCCB president Cardinal Francis George, visit: www.usccb.org/conscienceprotection.
Dear Prudence . . .
04/05/2009 02:31 PM Filed in: Editorials
Senate Passes Pro-Life Legislation
04/03/2009 06:27 PM Filed in: Legislature
|Abortion
The North Dakota Senate
passed two bills and a resolution concerning
abortion.
HB 1445, which requires that before a woman consents to an abortion she is informed that the abortion will terminate the life of a whole, separate, unique, living human being, passed 34 to 11.
HB 1371, which requires that a woman be given an opportunity to view an ultrasound before consenting to an abortion, passed 44 to 1.
HCR 3015, which expresses the Legislative Assembly's opposition to the Freedom of Choice Act, passed by a voice vote.
HB 1445, which requires that before a woman consents to an abortion she is informed that the abortion will terminate the life of a whole, separate, unique, living human being, passed 34 to 11.
HB 1371, which requires that a woman be given an opportunity to view an ultrasound before consenting to an abortion, passed 44 to 1.
HCR 3015, which expresses the Legislative Assembly's opposition to the Freedom of Choice Act, passed by a voice vote.
House Defeats Threat to Religious Liberty
04/03/2009 06:25 PM Filed in: Religious
Liberty |Legislature
The state House of
Representatives defeated SB 2278, which would have
added sexual orientation to the state’s Human
Rights Act without adequately protecting religious
liberties. The vote was 34 to 54.
Action Alert! Women Deserve the Truth II
04/01/2009 06:39 PM Filed in: Legislature
|Abortion
Now is the time to call
or email your state senator and express your support
for HB 1445, which requires that before a woman
consents to an abortion she is informed that the
abortion will terminate the life of a whole,
separate, unique, living human being.
The Senate Judiciary Committee gave HB 1445 a Do Pass recommendation. The bill now goes to the Senate floor for a final vote.
Message: Please vote Yes on House Bill 1445, women deserve to know the truth about abortion.
Who: North Dakota Senate
When: Now. The Senatecould vote on HB 1445 as early as Monday, April
6.
Today, Friday,
April 3
Where: 1-888-NDLEGIS (635-3447) or 701-328-3373 (local) or e-mail at the address listed at the Legislative Council website.
More information on contacting your legislators.
The Senate Judiciary Committee gave HB 1445 a Do Pass recommendation. The bill now goes to the Senate floor for a final vote.
Message: Please vote Yes on House Bill 1445, women deserve to know the truth about abortion.
Who: North Dakota Senate
When: Now. The Senate
Where: 1-888-NDLEGIS (635-3447) or 701-328-3373 (local) or e-mail at the address listed at the Legislative Council website.
More information on contacting your legislators.
Urgent Action Alert: Religious Liberty Threatened by Sexual Orientation Bill
03/30/2009 05:01 PM Filed in: Legislature
|Religious
Liberty
SB 2278 would add
“sexual orientation” to the North Dakota
Human Rights Act, giving sexual expression and sexual
activities protected status under the law. The
proposal raises troubling religious liberty concerns
for churches as employers and providers of
educational and social services, and to all
individuals whose religious beliefs do not condone
homosexuality or other sexual acts outside of
marriage. Tell your state representatives not to
discriminate against you and your religious beliefs.
Ask them to vote NO on SB 2278. (Read
more on why SB 2278 threatens religious liberty.)
Message: Please protect our religious liberties and vote NO on Senate Bill 2278.
When: Immediately.The House
will likely vote on it as soon as they come back from
the flood/blizzard recess. Friday, April
3.
Who: North Dakota Representatives
Where: 1-888-NDLEGIS (635-3447) or 701-328-3373 (local) or e-mail at the address listed at the Legislative Council website.
More information on contacting your legislators.
Why Does Senate Bill 2278 Threaten Religious Liberty?
Senate Bill 2278 adds “sexual orientation” to the North Dakota Human Rights Act, making it a protected class under the law in matters of employment and public accommodations. The definition of sexual orientation is ambiguous enough to extend to sexual acts and expressions. Public accommodations includes most services, including private education, rental of church and school meeting rooms, and use of Knights of Columbus halls. Many people and religious bodies do not approve of homosexuality and other sexual activities outside of marriage. Senate Bill 2278, however, does not protect churches or employers from being forced to violate their religious beliefs.
Doesn’t the bill have religious exemptions?
At first glance, SB 2287 appears to exempt religious entities, but a closer look reveals that the exemptions are not exemptions at all. Only one of the “exemptions” applies to matters involving sexual orientation and it is so narrowly drawn that it only applies to employment for “religious positions.” It does not apply to other personnel, such as school employees, and it does not apply at all to public accommodations.
The other “exemptions” thrown into the bill do not apply to matters involving sexual orientation.
In short, Senate Bill 2278 contains no real protection for religious entities from claims of discrimination based on sexual orientation (which includes sexual activities), whether it be in employment matters or public accommodations.
Message: Please protect our religious liberties and vote NO on Senate Bill 2278.
When: Immediately.
Who: North Dakota Representatives
Where: 1-888-NDLEGIS (635-3447) or 701-328-3373 (local) or e-mail at the address listed at the Legislative Council website.
More information on contacting your legislators.
Why Does Senate Bill 2278 Threaten Religious Liberty?
Senate Bill 2278 adds “sexual orientation” to the North Dakota Human Rights Act, making it a protected class under the law in matters of employment and public accommodations. The definition of sexual orientation is ambiguous enough to extend to sexual acts and expressions. Public accommodations includes most services, including private education, rental of church and school meeting rooms, and use of Knights of Columbus halls. Many people and religious bodies do not approve of homosexuality and other sexual activities outside of marriage. Senate Bill 2278, however, does not protect churches or employers from being forced to violate their religious beliefs.
Doesn’t the bill have religious exemptions?
At first glance, SB 2287 appears to exempt religious entities, but a closer look reveals that the exemptions are not exemptions at all. Only one of the “exemptions” applies to matters involving sexual orientation and it is so narrowly drawn that it only applies to employment for “religious positions.” It does not apply to other personnel, such as school employees, and it does not apply at all to public accommodations.
The other “exemptions” thrown into the bill do not apply to matters involving sexual orientation.
In short, Senate Bill 2278 contains no real protection for religious entities from claims of discrimination based on sexual orientation (which includes sexual activities), whether it be in employment matters or public accommodations.
Catholic News Stories About Flood Response
03/27/2009 07:56 PM
Blessing against Floods
03/27/2009 02:56 PM
National Catholic Rural Life Conference provides the
following Blessing against Floods from the Rural Life
Prayerbook:
Blessing against Floods
(The priest accompanied by the people carries a relic of the Holy Cross with which to bless the stream or river. There he devoutly reads, facing in turn the four directions, the beginnings of the four Gospels, and after each Gospel adds the following prayers:)
V. Help us, God, our salvation.
R. And free us because of the glory name.
V. Save Your servants.
R. Those who hope in You, my God.
V. Lord, do not act with us as our sins would demand.
R. Nor repay us according to the measure of our evils.
V. Send us help, Lord, from the holy place.
R. And from Sion protect us.
V. Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry reach up to You.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with your spirit.
Let us pray.
O God, You make the wicked man just, and You do not desire the death of the sinner. Your servants have confidence in Your mercy. We humbly beg Your majesty that You will, by Your heavenly aid, kindly shield us from the dangerous waters, and preserve us by Your continued care, so that we may always gladly serve You, and by no temptation be separated from You, through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
And may the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, descend upon these waters, and keep them within bounds.
R. Amen.
(And it is sprinkled with holy water.)
ht: Fr. Tom Graner
Blessing against Floods
(The priest accompanied by the people carries a relic of the Holy Cross with which to bless the stream or river. There he devoutly reads, facing in turn the four directions, the beginnings of the four Gospels, and after each Gospel adds the following prayers:)
V. Help us, God, our salvation.
R. And free us because of the glory name.
V. Save Your servants.
R. Those who hope in You, my God.
V. Lord, do not act with us as our sins would demand.
R. Nor repay us according to the measure of our evils.
V. Send us help, Lord, from the holy place.
R. And from Sion protect us.
V. Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry reach up to You.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with your spirit.
Let us pray.
O God, You make the wicked man just, and You do not desire the death of the sinner. Your servants have confidence in Your mercy. We humbly beg Your majesty that You will, by Your heavenly aid, kindly shield us from the dangerous waters, and preserve us by Your continued care, so that we may always gladly serve You, and by no temptation be separated from You, through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
And may the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, descend upon these waters, and keep them within bounds.
R. Amen.
(And it is sprinkled with holy water.)
ht: Fr. Tom Graner
Some More Flood News
03/27/2009 12:59 PM
The parishes of Holy
Spirit, St. Mary’s Cathedral, St.
Anthony’s and Nativity are outside of the
evacuation zones, otherwise known as city high
ground.
Sts. Anne and Joachim, the pastoral center and Shanley/Sullivan school off of 52nd Ave S. are all in one of the evacuation zones, but built on a spot higher above the surrounding area. Currently, the area is protected by the city’s levees, but with the new possibility of a 43’ river crest, much is unknown. Some sandbagging has been done around windows and doors as a precaution.
The Bishop Aquila’s house is also higher elevation of the projected crest, even if the levee’s don’t hold. Power and water may be cut off, though.
Cardinal Muench Seminary has had its levee built up by the Army Corps of Engineers, but was partially evacuated Thursday afternoon for precautionary reasons.
The Presentation Sisters in Fargo have a large levee in their backyard, but 6 of the infirm have been transferred to Valley City and many of them are going to evacuate as a precaution.
Rosewood, Villa Maria and Riverview have all been evacuated for precautionary reasons. Many of them are being transferred to Maryvale in Valley City, which will be taking in up to 47 people.
In Wahpeton, the Carmelite sisters have evacuated and are in Hankinson with the Franciscans. St. John’s made it through ok.
Enderlin experienced some flooding in town with the Maple river, but the parish is ok.
Sts. Anne and Joachim, the pastoral center and Shanley/Sullivan school off of 52nd Ave S. are all in one of the evacuation zones, but built on a spot higher above the surrounding area. Currently, the area is protected by the city’s levees, but with the new possibility of a 43’ river crest, much is unknown. Some sandbagging has been done around windows and doors as a precaution.
The Bishop Aquila’s house is also higher elevation of the projected crest, even if the levee’s don’t hold. Power and water may be cut off, though.
Cardinal Muench Seminary has had its levee built up by the Army Corps of Engineers, but was partially evacuated Thursday afternoon for precautionary reasons.
The Presentation Sisters in Fargo have a large levee in their backyard, but 6 of the infirm have been transferred to Valley City and many of them are going to evacuate as a precaution.
Rosewood, Villa Maria and Riverview have all been evacuated for precautionary reasons. Many of them are being transferred to Maryvale in Valley City, which will be taking in up to 47 people.
In Wahpeton, the Carmelite sisters have evacuated and are in Hankinson with the Franciscans. St. John’s made it through ok.
Enderlin experienced some flooding in town with the Maple river, but the parish is ok.
Frei's Lose Home
03/27/2009 12:55 PM
Director of Education
for the Fargo Diocese, Tom Frei and his wife, Tracey
lost their home to flooding yesterday. This video
clip tells their story. Tracey is a former board
member of the North Dakota Catholic Conference.
Watch CBS Videos Online
Watch CBS Videos Online
Protecting Conscience Rights in Health Care: Our Voice is Needed!
03/27/2009 10:51 AM Filed in: Religious
Liberty |Health Care
The U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS) is inviting public
comment on a proposal to rescind an important federal
regulation issued in December. The regulation
implements and enforces three federal laws protecting
the conscience rights of health care providers,
especially those at risk of being discriminated
against because of their moral or religious objection
to abortion.
The Catholic community must speak out to protect Catholic doctors, nurses and hospitals.
Additional Information & Conscience Protection Resources
The Catholic community must speak out to protect Catholic doctors, nurses and hospitals.
Additional Information & Conscience Protection Resources
Bishop Zipfel asks for prayers and assistance for those affected by flooding
03/27/2009 10:13 AM
My dear sisters and
brothers in the Lord:
Hour by hour we are receiving information about the rising flood waters touching the families, homes and communities in various parts of our state. Linton, Beulah and Hazen in our diocese have been among the first communities to be struck. Some people have already been evacuated from their homes. We must all turn in prayer to God that He will protect us in this difficult time.
Stories of people who are offering themselves to assist their neighbors in need are both encouraging and uplifting. "Anything you did for one of my brothers here, however humble, you did for me."
For all who are suffering due to the flood waters, let us ask for God's protection and grace. Through it may we grow in our love for God and each other.
Your shepherd,
Bishop Paul Zipfel
(icon of St. Gregory the Wonderworker, patron for protection against floods)
Hour by hour we are receiving information about the rising flood waters touching the families, homes and communities in various parts of our state. Linton, Beulah and Hazen in our diocese have been among the first communities to be struck. Some people have already been evacuated from their homes. We must all turn in prayer to God that He will protect us in this difficult time.
Stories of people who are offering themselves to assist their neighbors in need are both encouraging and uplifting. "Anything you did for one of my brothers here, however humble, you did for me."
For all who are suffering due to the flood waters, let us ask for God's protection and grace. Through it may we grow in our love for God and each other.
Your shepherd,
Bishop Paul Zipfel
(icon of St. Gregory the Wonderworker, patron for protection against floods)
Flood Message from Catholic Charities
03/27/2009 10:08 AM
In
these times of uncertainty, you can be assured that
Catholic Charities North Dakota is assisting with
flood fighting efforts and preparing to respond to
the needs of those affected by the flooding and
winter storms currently occurring throughout the
state of North Dakota. Disaster Management
staff are monitoring the situation, together with the
state and local response groups formulating our
agency's role in the process.
* Catholic Charities North Dakota is currently assisting with finding volunteers to help with the sandbagging effort and working with other agencies to fill volunteer needs. Once the threats associated with the flooding and storms pass, CCND will continue to respond to the needs of people in the affected areas through several means.
* A Disaster Response officer with Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) has been deployed to North Dakota. Joe Mahoney, Program Officer for CCUSA Disaster Response Office, arrived in North Dakota just in time to witness the intensity of the flood fight in eastern North Dakota and the serious flooding coupled with heavy snow in the central and western parts of the state. On Monday, Catholic Charities USA began working side-by-side with Catholic Charities North Dakota staff to help implement Disaster Response for the Diocese of Fargo and Diocese of Bismarck. Once the threat of weather and flooding has passed, assessment teams will identify unmet needs in communities.
* Counseling Services are available to everyone regardless of religious affiliation. If you see someone in your community in need of counseling, please have them get in touch with our nearest office.
How can your parish help?
· Urge volunteers to form groups to volunteer to assist in the community. Contact Colleen (chardy@catholiccharitiesnd.org ) or Joan (jedwards@catholiccharitiesnd.org ) or call 1-800-450-4457 to learn more about volunteer opportunities.
· If residents in your parish have been affected, please let us know what their needs are. We will have funds available to assist these families.
· Donate to the Disaster Response effort at Catholic Charities North Dakota at www.catholiccharitiesnd.org <</span>http://www.catholiccharitiesnd.org/> or send donations to our office at
Catholic Charities North Dakota
5201 Bishops Blvd., Suite B
Fargo, ND 58104
* Catholic Charities North Dakota is currently assisting with finding volunteers to help with the sandbagging effort and working with other agencies to fill volunteer needs. Once the threats associated with the flooding and storms pass, CCND will continue to respond to the needs of people in the affected areas through several means.
* A Disaster Response officer with Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) has been deployed to North Dakota. Joe Mahoney, Program Officer for CCUSA Disaster Response Office, arrived in North Dakota just in time to witness the intensity of the flood fight in eastern North Dakota and the serious flooding coupled with heavy snow in the central and western parts of the state. On Monday, Catholic Charities USA began working side-by-side with Catholic Charities North Dakota staff to help implement Disaster Response for the Diocese of Fargo and Diocese of Bismarck. Once the threat of weather and flooding has passed, assessment teams will identify unmet needs in communities.
* Counseling Services are available to everyone regardless of religious affiliation. If you see someone in your community in need of counseling, please have them get in touch with our nearest office.
How can your parish help?
· Urge volunteers to form groups to volunteer to assist in the community. Contact Colleen (chardy@catholiccharitiesnd.org ) or Joan (jedwards@catholiccharitiesnd.org ) or call 1-800-450-4457 to learn more about volunteer opportunities.
· If residents in your parish have been affected, please let us know what their needs are. We will have funds available to assist these families.
· Donate to the Disaster Response effort at Catholic Charities North Dakota at www.catholiccharitiesnd.org <</span>http://www.catholiccharitiesnd.org/> or send donations to our office at
Catholic Charities North Dakota
5201 Bishops Blvd., Suite B
Fargo, ND 58104
Update on Various Bills
The
state legislature will take up several important
bills when it returns from the flood-fighting recess.
Now is the time to contact your legislators on these
bills.
Senate Bill 2278 - Adds Sexual Orientation to Human Rights Act
The bill goes to the House floor for a final vote next week.
While the Catholic Church condemns arbitrary discrimination and prejudice against a person because of sexual attraction, the North Dakota Catholic Conference opposes this bill for several reasons.
Contact your Representatives and urge them to vote “No” on SB 2278. Let them know you do not condone unjust discrimination because of sexual attraction, but that SB 2278 is a bad bill.
Senate Bill 2283 - Health Care for Pregnant Women and Unborn Children
The bill is on the House calendar and could be voted on as early as Monday.
Contact your Representatives and urge them to vote “Yes” on SB 2283.
Go here to find out more.
House Bill 1371 - Ultrasound Bill
Received a favorable recommendation from the Human Services Committee, but the full Senate still has to vote on it.
Contact your Senator and urge him or her to vote “Yes” on HB 1371.
House Concurrent Resolution 3015 - Anti-FOCA Resolution
Received a favorable recommendation from the Human Services Committee, but the full Senate still have to vote on it.
Contact your Senator and urge him or her to vote “Yes” on HCR 3105.
House Bill 1445 - Woman told before abortion that the act will terminate the life of a whole, separate, unique, living human being.
The bill is still in the Senate Judiciary Committee, which will probably act on it early next week.
The North Dakota Catholic Conference does not send out action alerts until a committee completes action on the bill. You may contact the Judiciary Committee and urge them to support HB 1445 without amendments.
House Bill 1572 - “Personhood Bill”
The bill is still in the Senate Judiciary Committee, which will probably act on it early next week.
The North Dakota Catholic Conference does not send out action alerts until a committee completes action on the bill. You may contact the Judiciary Committee and urge them to support the Catholic Conference’s proposed amendments to HB 1572.
Go here for more information.
House Bill 1478 - Children’s Health Insurance
The Human Services Committee restored the Governor’s recommendation to expand coverage to 200% of the federal poverty level. The bill is now being reviewed by the Senate Appropriations Committee.
The North Dakota Catholic Conference does not send out action alerts until a committee completes action on the bill. You may contact the Appropriations Committee and urge them to support funding the Children’s Health Insurance Program to at least 200% of the federal poverty level.
Contact Information:
1-888-NDLEGIS (635-3447) or 701-328-3373 (local) or e-mail at the address listed at the Legislative Council website.
More information on contacting your legislators.
Senate Judiciary (for HB 1445 and HB 1572)
Dave Nething - Chairman
Curtis Olafson - Vice Chairman
Tom Fiebiger
Stanley W. Lyson
Carolyn Nelson
Mac Schneider
Senate Appropriations Committee (For HB 1478)
Ray Holmberg - Chairman
Bill Bowman - Vice Chairman
Tony S. Grindberg - Vice Chairman
Randel Christmann
Tom Fischer
Ralph L. Kilzer
Aaron Krauter
Karen K. Krebsbach
Elroy N. Lindaas
Tim Mathern
Larry J. Robinson
Tom Seymour
Rich Wardner
John Warner
Senate Bill 2278 - Adds Sexual Orientation to Human Rights Act
The bill goes to the House floor for a final vote next week.
While the Catholic Church condemns arbitrary discrimination and prejudice against a person because of sexual attraction, the North Dakota Catholic Conference opposes this bill for several reasons.
- The bill contains no real protections for religious entities
- The bill contains no protections for faith-driven organizations not owned by churches
- It does not expressly exempt youth and scouting organizations
- The bill’s definition of “sexual orientation” encompasses acts, including sexual acts outside of marriage
- Existing law already protects workers engaged in lawful activities outside of work
Contact your Representatives and urge them to vote “No” on SB 2278. Let them know you do not condone unjust discrimination because of sexual attraction, but that SB 2278 is a bad bill.
Senate Bill 2283 - Health Care for Pregnant Women and Unborn Children
The bill is on the House calendar and could be voted on as early as Monday.
Contact your Representatives and urge them to vote “Yes” on SB 2283.
Go here to find out more.
House Bill 1371 - Ultrasound Bill
Received a favorable recommendation from the Human Services Committee, but the full Senate still has to vote on it.
Contact your Senator and urge him or her to vote “Yes” on HB 1371.
House Concurrent Resolution 3015 - Anti-FOCA Resolution
Received a favorable recommendation from the Human Services Committee, but the full Senate still have to vote on it.
Contact your Senator and urge him or her to vote “Yes” on HCR 3105.
House Bill 1445 - Woman told before abortion that the act will terminate the life of a whole, separate, unique, living human being.
The bill is still in the Senate Judiciary Committee, which will probably act on it early next week.
The North Dakota Catholic Conference does not send out action alerts until a committee completes action on the bill. You may contact the Judiciary Committee and urge them to support HB 1445 without amendments.
House Bill 1572 - “Personhood Bill”
The bill is still in the Senate Judiciary Committee, which will probably act on it early next week.
The North Dakota Catholic Conference does not send out action alerts until a committee completes action on the bill. You may contact the Judiciary Committee and urge them to support the Catholic Conference’s proposed amendments to HB 1572.
Go here for more information.
House Bill 1478 - Children’s Health Insurance
The Human Services Committee restored the Governor’s recommendation to expand coverage to 200% of the federal poverty level. The bill is now being reviewed by the Senate Appropriations Committee.
The North Dakota Catholic Conference does not send out action alerts until a committee completes action on the bill. You may contact the Appropriations Committee and urge them to support funding the Children’s Health Insurance Program to at least 200% of the federal poverty level.
Contact Information:
1-888-NDLEGIS (635-3447) or 701-328-3373 (local) or e-mail at the address listed at the Legislative Council website.
More information on contacting your legislators.
Senate Judiciary (for HB 1445 and HB 1572)
Dave Nething - Chairman
Curtis Olafson - Vice Chairman
Tom Fiebiger
Stanley W. Lyson
Carolyn Nelson
Mac Schneider
Senate Appropriations Committee (For HB 1478)
Ray Holmberg - Chairman
Bill Bowman - Vice Chairman
Tony S. Grindberg - Vice Chairman
Randel Christmann
Tom Fischer
Ralph L. Kilzer
Aaron Krauter
Karen K. Krebsbach
Elroy N. Lindaas
Tim Mathern
Larry J. Robinson
Tom Seymour
Rich Wardner
John Warner
Flood and Weather Updates
03/26/2009 09:56 AM
The
North Dakota legislature has recessed until Monday so
people can focus on fighting the floods around the
state. Both the Senate and House appropriations
committees, however, will continue to meet. Those
concerned about human service issues should watch the
Senate committee’s actions on HB 1012.
The offices of the Fargo Diocese are closed for the rest of the week. The Junior High Youth Rally for the Fargo Diocese, which was scheduled for Saturday, has been cancelled.
When the legislature returns next week, it will take up several important bills. Updates and action alerts on those bills will soon be posted. Keep checking this website for more information.
The offices of the Fargo Diocese are closed for the rest of the week. The Junior High Youth Rally for the Fargo Diocese, which was scheduled for Saturday, has been cancelled.
When the legislature returns next week, it will take up several important bills. Updates and action alerts on those bills will soon be posted. Keep checking this website for more information.
Urgent Action Alert: Restore Federal Abstinence Funding
03/25/2009 10:59 AM
The
U.S. Senate Budget Committee will likely consider an
amendment to restore abstinence funding tomorrow,
March 26. As chairman of the committee, Senator Kent
Conrad’s support for the amendment is crucial.
Call Senator Conrad’s office immediately and urge him to support the “Bunning-Graham amendment” to continue Title V abstinence education funding.
North Dakota received about $89,000 in abstinence education funding in the 2007 fiscal year. Organizations like Make a Sound Choice, the Dickinson School District, and SADD benefited from this funding. Act now to keep such support by contacting Senator Conrad.
Senator Kent Conrad
Washington: (202) 224-2043
Bismarck: (701) 258-4648
Toll Free: 1-800-223-4457
Fargo: Telephone: (701) 232-8030
Grand Forks: Telephone: (701) 775-9601
Minot: Telephone: (701) 852-0703
senator@conrad.senate.gov
Call Senator Conrad’s office immediately and urge him to support the “Bunning-Graham amendment” to continue Title V abstinence education funding.
North Dakota received about $89,000 in abstinence education funding in the 2007 fiscal year. Organizations like Make a Sound Choice, the Dickinson School District, and SADD benefited from this funding. Act now to keep such support by contacting Senator Conrad.
Senator Kent Conrad
Washington: (202) 224-2043
Bismarck: (701) 258-4648
Toll Free: 1-800-223-4457
Fargo: Telephone: (701) 232-8030
Grand Forks: Telephone: (701) 775-9601
Minot: Telephone: (701) 852-0703
senator@conrad.senate.gov
Bishop Aquila Issues Flood Statement
03/22/2009 11:43 AM
Statement of Most Rev. Samuel J. Aquila, Bishop of
Fargo
March
22, 2009
To the faithful of the Diocese of Fargo and to all
people of good will, as we face the potential for
serious flooding in several locations in the Diocese
of Fargo, be assured of my prayers for each and every
one of you. Through communication with flood
authorities and contact with the many Catholic
parishes in the areas of concern, I am working to
stay informed of the needs of individuals and
communities throughout the Diocese.
During this time we must first turn in prayer to God
that He will protect our families, our homes, and our
communities. Prayer to the Holy Spirit for the gifts
of wisdom and counsel is essential too in the
decisions that will need to be made in the days
ahead. I ask especially those in the diocese who live
outside of the affected areas to increase your
prayer, praying that those in the center of the flood
fight will be protected and may experience the peace
only God’s love can give.
I am grateful for our young people -- youth group
members and high school and college students -- who
are embracing this opportunity to help with
sandbagging those communities and homes which are
threatened; the parishes and diocesan entities like
Catholic Charities North Dakota who are establishing
ways to meet the unique needs of people now and after
this threat subsides; and the individuals who are
doing small things, like providing food or offering
childcare, that make a tremendous difference for
those laboring to save their homes. The Fargo
Catholic Schools Network has set up a Flood Fight
Update e-mail system which puts out calls for
assistance with sand bagging every few hours. For
more information, contact Shanley High School. Your
work is prayer in action, prayer which offers hope
and assurance during this struggle.
For all who are suffering due to the potential flood,
I pray for God’s protection and blessing over
you and for the calming strength of His grace. As in
any adversity, with faith, hope and charity, God will
grant us the particular graces we need in this trial
and we will grow in our love for God and each other.
On Human Trafficking
03/21/2009 09:03 AM Filed in: Human
Trafficking
The Fargo Forum has
some feature stories on the work of the
God’s Child Project
and the
Institute for Trafficked, Exploited
& Missing Persons, both North Dakota-based
entities, and the work they do in Guatemala and
elsewhere. One story focuses on the problem of
human trafficking.
The stories are here: http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/234766/
In North Dakota, Senate Bill 2209, which bans human trafficking, received its final passage by the House on March 13. The bill now goes to the Governor for his signature. A similar bill, HB 1185, was defeated on the grounds that it was no longer necessary. Thanks go the sponsors of both bills and Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem for making this possible.
The stories are here: http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/234766/
In North Dakota, Senate Bill 2209, which bans human trafficking, received its final passage by the House on March 13. The bill now goes to the Governor for his signature. A similar bill, HB 1185, was defeated on the grounds that it was no longer necessary. Thanks go the sponsors of both bills and Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem for making this possible.
Action Alert: Health Care for Pregnant Women and their Unborn Children
03/20/2009 10:11 AM Filed in: Health Care
|Legislature
Call Your
Representatives and Ask them to Help Low-income
Pregnant Women and their Unborn Children --Vote Yes
on SB 2283
The North Dakota House of
Representatives will soon vote on SB 2283, which would expand medical
assistance to low-income pregnant women. Calls are
needed Immediately
in support of this
modest, but important, effort to ensure that poor
pregnant women and their unborn children receive
essential health care.
Message:
Please vote
Yes
on Senate Bill 2283, to
help pregnant women and their unborn children.
When: Immediately. The bill is already on
the House calendar.
Who: North
Dakota Representatives
Where:
1-888-NDLEGIS
(635-3447) or 701-328-3373 (local) or
e-mail at the address listed at the
Legislative Council website.
More information on contacting your
legislators.
More information about SB 2283:
- North Dakota ranks at the bottom among states when it comes to providing prenatal care to low-income women and their unborn children.
- The bill only extends coverage to pregnant women at less than 165% of the federal poverty level.
- Most of the funding for the bill comes from federal sources.
- Coverage does not include abortion.
- Mothers who do not receive prenatal care are three times more likely to give birth to a low weight baby and their baby is five times more likely to die.
- In Catholic teaching, a person’s access to basic health care should not depend on how much a person earns. This is especially true for the unborn child, who should not be denied health care because his or her mother cannot afford it.
House Passes Abortion Non-Coercion Sign
03/19/2009 03:34 PM Filed in: Legislature
|Abortion
The North Dakota House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 2265 - the abortion non-coercion sign bill by a vote of 83 to 6. The bill was not amended by the House, so it now goes to the Governor for his signature!
Several New Testimonies Posted
03/18/2009 04:59 PM Filed in: Legislature
Three Pro-Life Victories - Call Your Legislators
03/17/2009 01:02 PM Filed in: Legislature
|Abortion
Legislative
committees gave favorable recommendations on three
pro-life bills today.
HB 1371 - the ultrasound bill - received an unanimous “do pass” recommendation from the Senate Human Services Committee and now goes to the Senate floor.
HCR 3015 - the anti-FOCA resolution - received a 5-1 “do pass” recommendation from the Senate Human Services Committee and now goes to the Senate floor.
SB 2265 - abortion non-coercion sign posting requirement - received an unanimous “do pass” recommendation from the House Human Services Committee and now goes to the House floor.
Call your Senator and ask him or her to vote “yes” on House Bill 1371 and House Concurrent Resolution 3015.
Call your Representatives and ask them to vote “yes” on Senate Bill 2265.
Where: 1-888-NDLEGIS (635-3447) or 701-328-3373 (local) or e-mail at the address listed at the Legislative Council website.
More information on contacting your legislators.
HB 1371 - the ultrasound bill - received an unanimous “do pass” recommendation from the Senate Human Services Committee and now goes to the Senate floor.
HCR 3015 - the anti-FOCA resolution - received a 5-1 “do pass” recommendation from the Senate Human Services Committee and now goes to the Senate floor.
SB 2265 - abortion non-coercion sign posting requirement - received an unanimous “do pass” recommendation from the House Human Services Committee and now goes to the House floor.
Call your Senator and ask him or her to vote “yes” on House Bill 1371 and House Concurrent Resolution 3015.
Call your Representatives and ask them to vote “yes” on Senate Bill 2265.
Where: 1-888-NDLEGIS (635-3447) or 701-328-3373 (local) or e-mail at the address listed at the Legislative Council website.
More information on contacting your legislators.
Catholic Bishops Voice Support for Pro-Life Bills
03/12/2009 10:49 AM Filed in: Legislature
|Abortion
Catholic Bishops Voice Support for Pro-Life Bills
Bismarck, North Dakota - Speaking at the state capitol in Bismarck, North Dakota’s Roman Catholic bishops affirmed their support for state legislation to protect unborn human life, including a modified version of the “personhood” bill.
In a joint statement released at the event, Bishop Paul A. Zipfel of Bismarck and Bishop Samuel J. Aquila of Fargo reaffirmed their “steadfast commitment to defending human life from conception to natural death” and urged passage for legislation that would bring the state closer to ending abortion and to establishing legal protection for all unborn children. “The people of North Dakota, through their public officials, have steadily and strategically advanced the cause for life, making the state one of the most pro-life in the nation,” the bishops said.
The bishops stated that several bills introduced this legislative session provide “another opportunity to move forward.” The bishops expressed support for House Bill 1445 which requires that a woman considering an abortion be told that the abortion will terminate the life of a whole, separate, unique, living human being, HB 1371, which gives a woman an opportunity to view an ultrasound of her unborn child, SB 2265, which helps ensure that women are not coerced into abortions, and SB 2391, which improves the successful alternatives-to-abortion program. The bishops also voiced their support for House Concurrent Resolution 3015, which expresses the legislature’s opposition to the Freedom of Choice Act.
Discussing House Bill 1572, which some have called the “personhood” bill, the bishops proposed a set of amendments to remedy perceived problems with the bill’s current language. After consulting with various experts, including some with extensive and lengthy experience in abortion law, the bishops concluded that the bill’s existing language raises many unanswered questions, could lead to unintended consequences and injustices, and would not achieve the goal of providing a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade and its progeny.
Expressing support for the bill’s concept, the bishops stated that they could support HB 1572 if it was amended to address the concerns.
Download the statement here.
Download a summary of pro-life bills and the bishops’ positions here.
Download the proposed amendments here.
Download a description of what the amendments would do here.
Read a letter by Catholic University of America Law Professor Robert Destro on the amendments
Bismarck, North Dakota - Speaking at the state capitol in Bismarck, North Dakota’s Roman Catholic bishops affirmed their support for state legislation to protect unborn human life, including a modified version of the “personhood” bill.
In a joint statement released at the event, Bishop Paul A. Zipfel of Bismarck and Bishop Samuel J. Aquila of Fargo reaffirmed their “steadfast commitment to defending human life from conception to natural death” and urged passage for legislation that would bring the state closer to ending abortion and to establishing legal protection for all unborn children. “The people of North Dakota, through their public officials, have steadily and strategically advanced the cause for life, making the state one of the most pro-life in the nation,” the bishops said.
The bishops stated that several bills introduced this legislative session provide “another opportunity to move forward.” The bishops expressed support for House Bill 1445 which requires that a woman considering an abortion be told that the abortion will terminate the life of a whole, separate, unique, living human being, HB 1371, which gives a woman an opportunity to view an ultrasound of her unborn child, SB 2265, which helps ensure that women are not coerced into abortions, and SB 2391, which improves the successful alternatives-to-abortion program. The bishops also voiced their support for House Concurrent Resolution 3015, which expresses the legislature’s opposition to the Freedom of Choice Act.
Discussing House Bill 1572, which some have called the “personhood” bill, the bishops proposed a set of amendments to remedy perceived problems with the bill’s current language. After consulting with various experts, including some with extensive and lengthy experience in abortion law, the bishops concluded that the bill’s existing language raises many unanswered questions, could lead to unintended consequences and injustices, and would not achieve the goal of providing a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade and its progeny.
Expressing support for the bill’s concept, the bishops stated that they could support HB 1572 if it was amended to address the concerns.
Download the statement here.
Download a summary of pro-life bills and the bishops’ positions here.
Download the proposed amendments here.
Download a description of what the amendments would do here.
Read a letter by Catholic University of America Law Professor Robert Destro on the amendments
Sad Victory of Politics Over Science and Ethics
03/09/2009 04:33 PM Filed in: Embryonic
stem cell research
WASHINGTON—Cardinal
Justin Rigali, chairman of the U.S. Conference of
Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life
Activities, today called President Obama’s
executive order on embryonic stem cell research
“a sad victory of politics over science and
ethics.” Under the order, for the first time in
U.S. history, federal tax dollars will be used to
encourage researchers to destroy live human embryos
for stem cell research. Cardinal Rigali also cited a
January 16 letter in which Cardinal Francis George,
president of the USCCB, urged President-elect Obama
not to issue such an order.
Cardinal Rigali’s statement follows:
“President Obama’s new executive order on embryonic stem cell research is a sad victory of politics over science and ethics. This action is morally wrong because it encourages the destruction of innocent human life, treating vulnerable human beings as mere products to be harvested. It also disregards the values of millions of American taxpayers who oppose research that requires taking human life. Finally, it ignores the fact that ethically sound means for advancing stem cell science and medical treatments are readily available and in need of increased support.
“In his January 16th letter to President-elect Obama, Cardinal George, writing as President of the USCCB, cited three reasons why such destructive research is ‘especially pointless at this time’:
• ‘First, basic research in the capabilities of embryonic stem cells can be and is being pursued using the currently eligible cell lines as well as the hundreds of lines produced with nonfederal funds since 2001.
• ‘Second, recent startling advances in reprogramming adult cells into embryonic-like stem cells – hailed by the journal Science as the scientific breakthrough of the year – are said by many scientists to be making embryonic stem cells irrelevant to medical progress.
• ‘Third, adult and cord blood stem cells are now known to have great versatility, and are increasingly being used to reverse serious illnesses and even help rebuild damaged organs. To divert scarce funds away from these promising avenues for research and treatment toward the avenue that is most morally controversial as well as most medically speculative would be a sad victory of politics over science.’
“If the government wants to invest in hope for cures and promote ethically sound science, it should use our tax monies for research that everyone, at every stage of human development, can live with.”
Cardinal Rigali’s statement follows:
“President Obama’s new executive order on embryonic stem cell research is a sad victory of politics over science and ethics. This action is morally wrong because it encourages the destruction of innocent human life, treating vulnerable human beings as mere products to be harvested. It also disregards the values of millions of American taxpayers who oppose research that requires taking human life. Finally, it ignores the fact that ethically sound means for advancing stem cell science and medical treatments are readily available and in need of increased support.
“In his January 16th letter to President-elect Obama, Cardinal George, writing as President of the USCCB, cited three reasons why such destructive research is ‘especially pointless at this time’:
• ‘First, basic research in the capabilities of embryonic stem cells can be and is being pursued using the currently eligible cell lines as well as the hundreds of lines produced with nonfederal funds since 2001.
• ‘Second, recent startling advances in reprogramming adult cells into embryonic-like stem cells – hailed by the journal Science as the scientific breakthrough of the year – are said by many scientists to be making embryonic stem cells irrelevant to medical progress.
• ‘Third, adult and cord blood stem cells are now known to have great versatility, and are increasingly being used to reverse serious illnesses and even help rebuild damaged organs. To divert scarce funds away from these promising avenues for research and treatment toward the avenue that is most morally controversial as well as most medically speculative would be a sad victory of politics over science.’
“If the government wants to invest in hope for cures and promote ethically sound science, it should use our tax monies for research that everyone, at every stage of human development, can live with.”
Cover the Uninsured Week
03/06/2009 08:21 PM Filed in: Health Care
"Cover
the Uninsured Week" is coming up soon: March
22-28, 2009. The nation has begun a vigorous
debate and this is an opportune time to begin
praying, learning and advocating for health care
reform. Here is a two-page handout with
resources for you to use and to share with
others.
Stimulus Mysterious
03/06/2009 07:32 PM Filed in: Legislature
Question:
What do you get when you combine a record budget
surplus, a biennial legislature, and millions of
dollars of federal stimulus money coming half-way
through the legislative session? Answer: A lot of
questions.
The Governor and the Legislative Assembly are starting to reexamine everything in light of the economic stimulus money coming from the federal government. You can read Governor Hoeven’s initial recommendations for the money here.
In addition to determining how to spend the money, some people are asking whether the state legislature will be able to weigh-in before the end of the 80 day session.
The Governor and the Legislative Assembly are starting to reexamine everything in light of the economic stimulus money coming from the federal government. You can read Governor Hoeven’s initial recommendations for the money here.
In addition to determining how to spend the money, some people are asking whether the state legislature will be able to weigh-in before the end of the 80 day session.
Children's Health Care
03/02/2009 03:05 PM Filed in: Health Care
The
conference testified today in support of HB 1478 and
in favor of amending the bill to reflect the
Governor’s budget recommendation of covering
children to 200% of the poverty level.
Read the
testimony and
contact members of the Senate Human Services
Committee and express your support for the
Governor’s proposal.
Judy Lee - Chairman
Robert S. Erbele - Vice Chairman
Dick Dever
Joan Heckaman
Richard Marcellais
Jim Pomeroy
Judy Lee - Chairman
Robert S. Erbele - Vice Chairman
Dick Dever
Joan Heckaman
Richard Marcellais
Jim Pomeroy
Grave Concern Over Threat to Conscience Protection
02/27/2009 04:22 PM Filed in: Religious
Liberty
WASHINGTON—Deirdre
McQuade, spokesperson on abortion and related issues
at the U.S Conference of Catholic Bishops, commented
today on reports that the Obama administration is
moving to rescind a federal regulation that
implements longstanding federal statutes protecting
conscience rights in the health care profession.
“We are gravely concerned over today’s news that the Obama administration may rescind the current federal regulation protecting the conscience rights of health care providers,” McQuade said. “Efforts to nullify or weaken any conscience protection will undermine our national heritage of diversity and religious freedom, reduce patients’ access to life-affirming health care, and endanger the national consensus required to enact much-needed health care reform.”
“The Administration says it will open a new 30-day comment period so Americans may voice their concerns. We encourage participation in this process by all committed to the sanctity of human life, the freedom of conscience, and the ethical integrity of our healing professions,” she added.
The USCCB issued a statement last August welcoming the proposed regulation when it was first released for public comment by the Bush administration (www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2008/08-118.shtml). Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia, chair of the bishops’ Committee for Pro-Life Activities, also wrote to Congress urging respect for conscience protection measures (www.usccb.org/prolife/rigali-conscience071808.pdf). Formal comments on the proposal were later submitted by the USCCB Office of General Counsel (www.usccb.org/ogc/ruleind.shtml), and the Conference welcomed issuance of the final rule in December (www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2008/08-203.shtml).
“We are gravely concerned over today’s news that the Obama administration may rescind the current federal regulation protecting the conscience rights of health care providers,” McQuade said. “Efforts to nullify or weaken any conscience protection will undermine our national heritage of diversity and religious freedom, reduce patients’ access to life-affirming health care, and endanger the national consensus required to enact much-needed health care reform.”
“The Administration says it will open a new 30-day comment period so Americans may voice their concerns. We encourage participation in this process by all committed to the sanctity of human life, the freedom of conscience, and the ethical integrity of our healing professions,” she added.
The USCCB issued a statement last August welcoming the proposed regulation when it was first released for public comment by the Bush administration (www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2008/08-118.shtml). Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia, chair of the bishops’ Committee for Pro-Life Activities, also wrote to Congress urging respect for conscience protection measures (www.usccb.org/prolife/rigali-conscience071808.pdf). Formal comments on the proposal were later submitted by the USCCB Office of General Counsel (www.usccb.org/ogc/ruleind.shtml), and the Conference welcomed issuance of the final rule in December (www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2008/08-203.shtml).
Crossover Status
02/26/2009 02:07 PM Filed in: Legislature
Here’s
a look at the status of some important bills:
Bills passed and supported by the conference:
HB 1185 Relating to human trafficking;
HB 1268 Sales and use tax exemption for clothing; and to provide an effective date.
HB 1371 Limitations on the performance of abortion and abortion reporting requirements
HB 1445 Requirements of informed consent to abortion.
HB 1478 Eligibility under the state children's health insurance program
HCR3015 A concurrent resolution urging Congress to reject the Freedom of Choice Act
SB 2209 Relating to human trafficking
SB 2231 provide for contracting with a statewide charitable food recovery and distribution organization
SB 2237 Relating to a health care record registry.
SB 2265 Required notice to be posted at abortion facilities or hospitals.
SB 2283 Medical assistance eligibility requirements for pregnant women
SB 2391 Relating to the alternatives-to-abortion services program
SCR4003 Urging Federal Immigration Reform
Bills passed opposed by the conference:
SB 2195 Relating to updates to the revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act
SB 2278 Relating to discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation
Bills that failed which were supported by the conference:
HB 1190 Income tax credit for charitable contributions to nonprofit private institutions of higher education or secondary education
HB 1200 Property taxation of certain otherwise exempt property for the cost of fire, law enforcement, and emergency services
HB 1203 Income tax credit for charitable gifts
HB 1372 Adoption assessment costs
HB 1469 purchase and use of textbooks
HB 1506 Relating to an income tax credit for contributions to school districts or nonpublic elementary and secondary schools
HB 1553 Relating to county and city restrictions on adult establishments
SB 2340 Relating to a sales and use tax exemption for sales by thrift stores owned and operated by nonprofit corporations
SB 2362 Relating to a children's health insurance buy-in program to be established by the department of human services and the creation of a children's health insurance program advisory committee; relating to eligibility for the children's health insurance program.
SB 2379 Relating to an income tax credit equal to a portion of a taxpayer's federal earned income credit
SB 2400 Relating to the locations at which an infant may be abandoned
Bills that failed opposed by the conference:
HB 1200 Relating to property taxation of certain otherwise exempt property for the cost of fire, law enforcement, and emergency services
Bills passed and supported by the conference:
HB 1185 Relating to human trafficking;
HB 1268 Sales and use tax exemption for clothing; and to provide an effective date.
HB 1371 Limitations on the performance of abortion and abortion reporting requirements
HB 1445 Requirements of informed consent to abortion.
HB 1478 Eligibility under the state children's health insurance program
HCR3015 A concurrent resolution urging Congress to reject the Freedom of Choice Act
SB 2209 Relating to human trafficking
SB 2231 provide for contracting with a statewide charitable food recovery and distribution organization
SB 2237 Relating to a health care record registry.
SB 2265 Required notice to be posted at abortion facilities or hospitals.
SB 2283 Medical assistance eligibility requirements for pregnant women
SB 2391 Relating to the alternatives-to-abortion services program
SCR4003 Urging Federal Immigration Reform
Bills passed opposed by the conference:
SB 2195 Relating to updates to the revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act
SB 2278 Relating to discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation
Bills that failed which were supported by the conference:
HB 1190 Income tax credit for charitable contributions to nonprofit private institutions of higher education or secondary education
HB 1200 Property taxation of certain otherwise exempt property for the cost of fire, law enforcement, and emergency services
HB 1203 Income tax credit for charitable gifts
HB 1372 Adoption assessment costs
HB 1469 purchase and use of textbooks
HB 1506 Relating to an income tax credit for contributions to school districts or nonpublic elementary and secondary schools
HB 1553 Relating to county and city restrictions on adult establishments
SB 2340 Relating to a sales and use tax exemption for sales by thrift stores owned and operated by nonprofit corporations
SB 2362 Relating to a children's health insurance buy-in program to be established by the department of human services and the creation of a children's health insurance program advisory committee; relating to eligibility for the children's health insurance program.
SB 2379 Relating to an income tax credit equal to a portion of a taxpayer's federal earned income credit
SB 2400 Relating to the locations at which an infant may be abandoned
Bills that failed opposed by the conference:
HB 1200 Relating to property taxation of certain otherwise exempt property for the cost of fire, law enforcement, and emergency services
Update on Senate Bills
02/19/2009 09:51 AM Filed in: Legislature
SB 2265 -
which
requires abortion facilities to post a sign warning
women that no one can force them to have an
abortion.
Passed 45 -1
SB 2283 - which provides prenatal care to low-income pregnant women. Amended and Passed 45-1
SB 2340 - which provides a sales tax exemption for sales by thrift stores owned and operated by nonprofit corporations. Failed 21-25
SB 2283 - which provides prenatal care to low-income pregnant women. Amended and Passed 45-1
SB 2340 - which provides a sales tax exemption for sales by thrift stores owned and operated by nonprofit corporations. Failed 21-25
Three Action Alerts for Senate
02/18/2009 08:27 AM
The state senate is
about to vote on three bills which need your support.
Contact your senator immediately
and ask him or
to support:
SB 2265 - which requires abortion facilities to post a sign warning women that no one can force them to have an abortion.
SB 2283 - which provides prenatal care to low-income pregnant women.
SB 2340 - which provides a sales tax exemption for sales by thrift stores owned and operated by nonprofit corporations.
The senate could vote on these bills today, so quick action is needed.
Thank you.
Where: 1-888-NDLEGIS (635-3447) or 701-328-3373 (local) or e-mail at the address listed at the Legislative Council website.
More information on contacting your legislators.
SB 2265 - which requires abortion facilities to post a sign warning women that no one can force them to have an abortion.
SB 2283 - which provides prenatal care to low-income pregnant women.
SB 2340 - which provides a sales tax exemption for sales by thrift stores owned and operated by nonprofit corporations.
The senate could vote on these bills today, so quick action is needed.
Thank you.
Where: 1-888-NDLEGIS (635-3447) or 701-328-3373 (local) or e-mail at the address listed at the Legislative Council website.
More information on contacting your legislators.
Non-Coercion Sign Bill Heads to Floor
02/16/2009 04:32 PM Filed in: Abortion
|Legislature
Senate
Bill 2265, which requires abortion facilities to post
a sign warning women that no one can force them to
have an abortion, received a Do Pass recommendation
from the Senate Human Services Committee. It now
heads to the Senate floor.
Call your state senator and urge him or her to support SB 2265 to help prevent coercive abortions.
Where: 1-888-NDLEGIS (635-3447) or 701-328-3373 (local) or e-mail at the address listed at the Legislative Council website.
More information on contacting your legislators.
Call your state senator and urge him or her to support SB 2265 to help prevent coercive abortions.
Where: 1-888-NDLEGIS (635-3447) or 701-328-3373 (local) or e-mail at the address listed at the Legislative Council website.
More information on contacting your legislators.
Updates - HB 1445 and HCR 3015 Pass House
02/16/2009 04:18 PM Filed in: Abortion
|Legislature
The
state House of Representatives today passed House
Bill 1445 and House Concurrent Resolution 3015.
House Bill 1445 requires that that before a woman consents to an abortion she is informed that the abortion will terminate the life of a whole, separate, unique, living human being. It passed 61 to 31.
House Concurrent Resolution 3015 expresses the Legislative Assembly’s opposition to the Freedom of Choice Act. It passed 65 to 24.
House Bill 1445 requires that that before a woman consents to an abortion she is informed that the abortion will terminate the life of a whole, separate, unique, living human being. It passed 61 to 31.
House Concurrent Resolution 3015 expresses the Legislative Assembly’s opposition to the Freedom of Choice Act. It passed 65 to 24.
Latest Newsletter
02/15/2009 09:15 AM Filed in: Legislature
In This Issue:
• Urgent Action Alert - Living Human Being Bill
• Action Alert - Support Anti-FOCA Resolution
• Still to Come . . .
• What's In the Stimulus Package?
Read the newsletter . . .
• Urgent Action Alert - Living Human Being Bill
• Action Alert - Support Anti-FOCA Resolution
• Still to Come . . .
• What's In the Stimulus Package?
Read the newsletter . . .
What's in the Stimulus Package?
02/14/2009 02:47 PM
While we have been
working on state issues, the U.S. Conference of
Catholic Bishops office has been monitoring the
federal stimulus package. The USCCB Office of
Justice, Peace, and Human Development has this
preliminary look:
Listed below are programs found in the final bill that we believe target recovery resources to those in greatest need, reflecting a priority for poor and vulnerable people.
Both the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) have been modified to help low income parents. The CTC alone will make a big difference. For example, a parent with two children earning the minimum wage will now be eligible to receive a credit worth $1750 in 2009-2010 rather than the 2008 level of $900.
The bill provides for a temporary increase in funding for most nutrition assistance programs providing food to families in need, the unemployed, the disabled, and the elderly. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly known as food stamps) benefits will provide a temporary increase of 13.6 percent.
The provision that would have mandated the use of the E-verify employee verification system has been removed from the final bill.
Congress failed to provide more resources for Social Services Block Grant and Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, but states will receive more support for their efforts to serve low income families through Medicaid and TANF.
The Unemployment Insurance program will provide extended benefits through the end of 2009 and states will be encouraged and rewarded to extend benefits to laid-off part-time workers, among other changes to the program.
Congress failed to capitalize the Housing Trust Fund or provide more funding for additional rental vouchers. But, funds were provided to prevent homelessness, weatherize public housing and some elderly housing, and to purchase foreclosed homes to stabilize neighborhoods.
Action Alert! Women Deserve the Truth
02/10/2009 04:49 PM Filed in: Abortion
|Legislature
Now is the time to call
or email your state representatives and express your
support for HB 1445, which requires that before a
woman consents to an abortion she is informed that
the abortion will terminate the life of a whole,
separate, unique, living human being.
The House Human Services Committee gave HB 1445 a Do Pass recommendation on an 8-5 vote. The bill now goes to the House floor for a final vote.
Message: Please vote Yes on House Bill 1445.
Who: North Dakota Representatives
Where: 1-888-NDLEGIS (635-3447) or 701-328-3373 (local) or e-mail at the address listed at the Legislative Council website.
More information on contacting your legislators.
When: Now. The House could vote on HB 1445 as early as Wednesday, February 10.
Read the conference’s testimony on HB 1445.
The House Human Services Committee gave HB 1445 a Do Pass recommendation on an 8-5 vote. The bill now goes to the House floor for a final vote.
Message: Please vote Yes on House Bill 1445.
Who: North Dakota Representatives
Where: 1-888-NDLEGIS (635-3447) or 701-328-3373 (local) or e-mail at the address listed at the Legislative Council website.
More information on contacting your legislators.
When: Now. The House could vote on HB 1445 as early as Wednesday, February 10.
Read the conference’s testimony on HB 1445.
Women Deserve the Truth
02/09/2009 05:20 PM Filed in: Abortion
The North Dakota
Catholic Conference testified today in favor of HB
1445, which requires that before a woman consents to
an abortion she is informed that the abortion will
terminate the life of a whole, separate, unique,
living human being. Read
the testimony here.
Cardinal Rigali to Congress: Keep Existing Pro-Life Laws
02/05/2009 04:00 PM Filed in: Abortion
WASHINGTON—
Writing as chair of the U.S. Conference of Catholic
Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities,
Cardinal Justin Rigali sent a letter on February 5 to
all members of Congress, urging them to maintain
pro-life provisions in the appropriations bills they
must soon approve to keep government programs funded
past March 5. “I urge you not to use this
legislation to weaken or rescind longstanding
provisions that protect U.S. taxpayers from being
forced to fund and promote the destruction of
innocent human life,” Cardinal Rigali said.
“In making this plea,” he said, “I am joined by millions of Catholics and others who, in the weeks to come, will be sending postcards to their elected representatives with this message: ‘Please oppose FOCA [the ‘Freedom of Choice Act’] or any similar measure, and retain laws against federal funding and promotion of abortion.’ While an extreme proposal like FOCA would overturn hundreds of pro-life laws at once, we are equally concerned that such laws may be overturned one at a time during Congress’s appropriations process.”
The prelate’s letter highlighted several pro-life provisions, including: the Hyde amendment and similar measures protecting American taxpayers from being forced to subsidize abortions; the Dickey/Wicker amendment preventing federal funding for research in which human embryos are created, harmed and destroyed; and the Kemp-Kasten amendment preventing U.S. funding of organizations that support or help manage programs of coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization.
Cardinal Rigali also called on Congress to maintain the Hyde/Weldon conscience protection amendment, a key measure preventing discrimination against health care providers who do not perform or refer for abortions. “Clearly ‘choice’ is an empty slogan if physicians, nurses and hospitals must ‘choose’ to provide abortions or be forced out of the health care field,” he said.
“Like Congress’s decision about requiring taxpayers to fund abortion, the decision whether to maintain current conscience protections could play a major role in determining whether Americans of different backgrounds, viewpoints and religions will be able to work together toward a consensus on much-needed health care reform,” Cardinal Rigali advised.
“In making this plea,” he said, “I am joined by millions of Catholics and others who, in the weeks to come, will be sending postcards to their elected representatives with this message: ‘Please oppose FOCA [the ‘Freedom of Choice Act’] or any similar measure, and retain laws against federal funding and promotion of abortion.’ While an extreme proposal like FOCA would overturn hundreds of pro-life laws at once, we are equally concerned that such laws may be overturned one at a time during Congress’s appropriations process.”
The prelate’s letter highlighted several pro-life provisions, including: the Hyde amendment and similar measures protecting American taxpayers from being forced to subsidize abortions; the Dickey/Wicker amendment preventing federal funding for research in which human embryos are created, harmed and destroyed; and the Kemp-Kasten amendment preventing U.S. funding of organizations that support or help manage programs of coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization.
Cardinal Rigali also called on Congress to maintain the Hyde/Weldon conscience protection amendment, a key measure preventing discrimination against health care providers who do not perform or refer for abortions. “Clearly ‘choice’ is an empty slogan if physicians, nurses and hospitals must ‘choose’ to provide abortions or be forced out of the health care field,” he said.
“Like Congress’s decision about requiring taxpayers to fund abortion, the decision whether to maintain current conscience protections could play a major role in determining whether Americans of different backgrounds, viewpoints and religions will be able to work together toward a consensus on much-needed health care reform,” Cardinal Rigali advised.
ND Catholic Conference: No Place for Discrimination; No Need for Bill
02/03/2009 01:41 PM Filed in: Legislature
The
North Dakota Catholic Conference testified today that
while there is no place for arbitrary discrimination
and prejudice against a person because of sexual
attraction, a bill to add sexual orientation to the
state’s Human Rights Act was unnecessary and
flawed in its scope and reach.
The bill, Senate Bill 2278 would add sexual orientation to the list of unlawful discriminatory acts in cases of employment, housing, and public accommodations. The bill, however, provides no exemption for religious entities, private schools, and youth organizations. Moreover, the bill’s definition of “sexual orientation” encompasses more than sexual attraction and could cover sexual
The bill, Senate Bill 2278 would add sexual orientation to the list of unlawful discriminatory acts in cases of employment, housing, and public accommodations. The bill, however, provides no exemption for religious entities, private schools, and youth organizations. Moreover, the bill’s definition of “sexual orientation” encompasses more than sexual attraction and could cover sexual