Bishops’ conference fires back at White House press secretary, denounces Senate Finance Committee bill

Three officials of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) criticized the $829-billion health care reform legislation approved by the Senate Finance Committee on October 13 in a 14-9 vote. Conference officials note that the legislation does not contain “policies against abortion funding and in support of conscience rights,” does not extend health care benefits to legal immigrants, and does not in their judgment meet the test of making health care “affordable and available to the poor and vulnerable.”

“Time is running short and if the provisions are not fixed, the bishops have been clear that they will have no choice but to oppose a final bill,” said Kathy Saile, director of the USCCB Office of Domestic Social Development. “The stated purpose of pursuing health care reform was to provide those without health care coverage access to quality and affordable health care. There is real doubt that this bill will achieve that goal.”

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cross-posted from A Catholic View