Atom Feed (xml)President Obama and his allies in Congress are promoting legislation that would dramatically overhaul America’s health care system. There are actually multiple versions of health care reform legislation under consideration, each of which is enormously long and complicated. What is clear, however, is that the primary bill in the House of Representatives contains unacceptable language giving the Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius the power to make unlimited abortion a mandated benefit in the “public option” – the public health insurance plan the government would manage nationwide.
The House bill fundamentally alters the status quo whereby no federal program mandates coverage for elective abortions, or subsidizes health plans that include such abortions. Under the House bill, anyone choosing the public option, which will likely include low-income Americans, will be forced to pay directly and specifically for abortion coverage in the government plan.
Thus becomes clear the danger of expanding federal government control over health care, when the federal government is so hostile to our values with respect to life.
It is imperative that all Catholics contact their U.S. Representatives and U.S. Senators to inform them that taxpayer funding of abortion is completely and utterly unacceptable. By including these or any other pro-abortion provisions in the final bill, Congress will demonstrate that it is not interested in genuine health care reform.
It is also important that members of Congress understand that health care reform legislation should not be paid for at the expense of those near the end of life. It is often those, whether elderly or terminally ill, with the highest costs of care who are also most vulnerable to false notions of being a burden to loved ones and society. Upon returning to work in September, Congress should act swiftly to ensure that all Americans can feel confident that health care reform is in the service of preserving life, not ending it.
Members of Congress are still home now for the August congressional recess, listening very carefully to the views of their constituents in order to gauge what the voters will be willing to support. Now is the time to be heard. Catholics should make their views known respectfully, but firmly.
Time is running out! If you haven't yet contacted your congressmen about healthcare reform, please do so immediately.
Tell your government servants to vote "No" on the health care reform bill and inform them that unless they vote no on this, you will not be voting for them in the next election.
