Congress Takes on Healthcare Reform
The debate on healthcare reform is taking center stage as legislation is being prepared in Washington and supporters of reform are expressing their ideas. Bishop William F. Murphy represented the views of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in a recent news release when he 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.” Bishop
Murphy also stated that “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 bishops also include freedom of conscience – that no healthcare plan should compel anyone to participate in or pay for the destruction of human life – as an essential criterion in judging any proposed legislation.
Senator Kent Conrad, as chair of a key committee, will play an especially important role in this process, Because many in the Senate hope to have a proposal written before the August Congressional break, now is the time to let our Congressional delegation, especially Sen. Conrad, know our hopes and concerns. Emails are effective – www.conrad.senate.gov, www.dorgan.senate.gov and www.pomeroy.house.gov. Messages may also be left at their Fargo offices or at their Washington offices:Sen. Dorgan – 202-224-2551, Sen. Conrad – 202-224-2043 and Rep. Pomeroy – 202-225-2611.
For more information about healthcare reform from a faith-based perspective, go to www.usccb.org, www.networklobby.org or www.faithfulreform.org.
