Washington D.C., Oct 2, 2009 / 07:51 am
In a letter sent to the U.S. Senate on September 30, Cardinal Justin Rigali, Bishop William Murphy and Bishop John Wester, chairs of the USCCB committees on Pro-Life Activities, Domestic Justice and Human Development, and Migration, respectively, raised their concerns on behalf of the U.S. episcopate over the issues of human life and dignity, coverage of legal immigrants and affordability in the current health care debate.
"Our Catholic moral tradition teaches that health care is a basic human right, essential to protecting human life and dignity," the bishops wrote. "These moral principles and our everyday experience lead us to work for three central priorities for health care reform."
The bishops outlined three criteria that need special attention as legislation moves forward: respect for human life and dignity, affordability and the inclusion of legal immigrants.
"Health care reform legislation should reflect longstanding and widely supported current policies on abortion funding, mandates and conscience protections because they represent sound morality, wise policy and political reality," the letter says.