Church Guidance on Health Care Reform 

Our U.S. Bishops have declared August as health care awareness month.  Imminent health care reform requires our full attention, both as U.S. citizens and as U.S. Catholics.  The bishops have stated clearly what true reform should include and should not include.  Our new heath care policy must be “a truly universal health policy,” providing “ready access to quality, comprehensive and affordable health care for every person.”  It must “affirm and respect the sanctity and dignity of human life from conception to natural death.”  It must guarantee “the right of health care providers to decline involvement in abortion” and “ensure respect for religious and ethical values” for all.  (Check these websites for full statements: http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/national/2009-07-17-murphy-letter-congress.pdf or http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/national/2009-05-usccb-health-care-statement.pdf).