WASHINGTON,
DC, August 11, 2009 —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 a letter today 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.
A "Legal
Fiction"
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.
Genuine Health Care Reform
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.
More
information and resources on Health Care Reform are posted
online by the
U.S.
Conference of Catholic Bishops and the
Knights of Columbus. |
