Need is too great to accept defeat on health reform
Catholic Health World, February 1, 2010, By Sr. Carol Keehan, DC
The Lord hears the cry of the poor. How often we sing or say this line from the Psalms. As we have watched health reform clear reportedly "insurmountable hurdles," we have dared to hope that for the first time so many of our brothers and sisters would now have health insurance. The cry of the poor that we experience daily in our facilities as they struggle to get health care finally would be answered.
Now some fear the mood of the country has been so soured by fearmongering, misinformation and genuine debates — over what works best, what can we afford, etc. — that we will lose health reform.
The need is too great to accept that. The poor, working families, employers and our nation's economic future all have a stake in good health reform.
We have been clear on our principles; and, as we analyze the bills that have emerged from the House and Senate, we recognize they are not perfect, and they do not truly achieve universal coverage. The question is not, "Are they perfect?", but "Are they a good first step? Do they help a significant number of people without insurance obtain it? Do they make insurance more affordable for all? Do they eliminate predatory insurance policies? For us as Catholic health care, do they protect life?"
We will have to make that assessment based on two issues. First, does the final bill keep the president's commitment to no federal funding for abortion? And, second, does the bill make quality maternal infant care readily accessible to the poor? We cannot ignore recent studies showing us that in these challenging economic times, women below 300 percent of poverty are having abortions at four times the rate of women in other economic brackets.
We have never needed responsible citizenship more. It would be wonderful if we could finish this debate much differently than we started it Ñ that is, looking responsibly at issues and options and working to put the needs of people first instead of getting mired in disinformation and fearmongering. We can plan for responsible health reform that respects life. And we can, with the Lord, hear the cry of the poor. And in responding to that cry, all of us will be better off.
Copyright © 2009 by the Catholic Health Association of the United States
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