Washington D.C., Feb 25, 2010 / 15:31 pm
The evening before the White House Health care Summit in Washington, the U.S. Catholic bishops urged political leaders to commit to enacting “genuine” reform that will protect the life, dignity, consciences and health of all.
“The Catholic bishops have long supported adequate and affordable health care for all, because health care is a basic human right,” their letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) explained.
The Feb. 24 letter was signed by Bishop William Murphy of Rockville Centre, New York, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston and Bishop John Wester of Salt Lake City, the respective chairs of the bishops’ committees on Domestic Justice and Human Development, Pro-Life Activities and Migration.
“As pastors and teachers, we believe genuine health care reform must protect human life and dignity from conception to natural death, not threaten them, especially for the voiceless and vulnerable,” the prelates continued, adding that legislation must not violate the consciences of providers, taxpayers and purchasers of insurance.