Bishop Olmsted, Diocese of Phoenix back U.S. bishops' position on health care reform

Editor's Note: The Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted, bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix, released a statement today regarding the U.S. Senate’s Health Care Bill — H.R. 3590:

In recent days there have been some statements made by national Catholic groups encouraging the passage of the current Senate Health Care Bill – H.R. 3590. The most notable statements have come from the Catholic Health Association and Network (a group of women religious).

These statements have brought a great deal of confusion regarding the Church’s true position on the current health care bill. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have made it clear that the Church is strongly opposed to this proposed bill. Here are some of the reasons:

1. Senate bill H.R. 3590 includes a massive increase in federal spending for abortions;
2. Senate bill H.R. 3590 does not include the most fundamental conscience rights protection under current law;
3. Senate bill H.R. 3590 requires all enrollees in health insurance plans covering abortion to pay, separately and exclusively, for abortions obtained by other plan participants; and
4. Senate bill H.R. 3590 refuses to make any advance in effecting a more just and constructive solution to the health care access challenges faced by immigrants.

In short, Senate bill HR 3590 is not a bill that we Catholics can support. I urge you to contact our elected members of the House of Representatives and ask them to vote against the Senate Bill H.R. 3590. Send an e-mail by going to www.usccb.org/action or call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121. A health care plan that uses our tax dollars to kill the most vulnerable among us is not worthy of support. It must be opposed.

For more information about the U.S. Bishops’ position on health care reform, please visit www.usccb.org.