Pro-Life Universal Healthcare: Not the Answer

The US Bishops are promoting the Obama plan for a universal healthcare plan, but they want to stop it from including abortions. The US bishops say that the healthcare plan needs to have a conscience, and formed some guidelines:

On behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), I write to outline our policy priorities and to express hope that the serious efforts of the Congressional committees will bring genuine life-affirming reform to the nation’s health care system. The USCCB looks forward to working with you to reform health care successfully in a manner that offers accessible, affordable and quality health care that protects and respects the life and dignity of all people from conception until natural death. For decades, the Catholic bishops of the United States have been and continue to be consistent advocates for comprehensive health care reform that leads to health care for all, including the weakest and most vulnerable. The bishops want to support health care reform. We have in the past and we always must insist that health care reform excludes abortion coverage or any other provisions that threaten the sanctity of life. As Congress begins debate on health care reform the Catholic bishops of the United States offer the following criteria for fair and just health care reform. Health care reform needs to reflect basic ethical principles. We offer these as a guide: • a truly universal health policy with respect for human life and dignity; • access for all with a special concern for the poor and inclusion of legal immigrants; • pursuing the common good and preserving pluralism including freedom of conscience and variety of options; and • restraining costs and applying them equitably across the spectrum of payers. Catholic Key Blog

The socialist agenda is being pushed by the misinterpretation of the recent encyclical “Caritas in Veritate.” Pope Benedict urges people to take action, and the creation of a huge bureaucracy is hardly the answer. Tithing to provide for the poor and personally giving of one’s talents for the service of others are at the heart of the pope’s writings. While Obama’s plan is claiming to be a “universal” many people will be left behind, and those people who are currently generously giving to provide for the needs of others will be taxed so rigorously making it almost impossible to continue their generosity. At the heart of giving is the spirit of the giver, and by forming a large plan run by the over taxing of the American people kills this. Furthermore the government employees work their jobs in this mass bureaucracy. The life’s bloods of the Christian charity programs are volunteers, and these individuals truly exemplify Christ. Obama wants to kill this ideal and replace it with a plan to provide abortion and euthanasia to the less desirable. Hopefully the US bishops will recognize this move by Obama cannot be pro-life and curtail their support to protect the most vulnerable.

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