Pennsylvania bishops oppose current health care reform legislation

October 14, 2009

Echoing a statement released last week by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), the bishops of Pennsylvania have announced their opposition to current health care reform legislation.

“Our Catholic moral tradition teaches that every human being, from the moment of conception to natural death, has an innate dignity that entitles him or her to certain rights and protections,” the bishops write. “Included among these is the right to life and to have access to health care, which is essential to preserving human life and promoting human dignity. As the Catholic Bishops of Pennsylvania, we must frankly express our concerns that the health care reform proposals currently under review by the U.S. Congress do not yet guarantee these fundamental rights.”

“True health care reform,” the bishops continue, “must maintain longstanding public policies which restrict funding for abortion and respect the consciences of health care providers.”

Nearly 29% of the state’s 12.3 million residents are Catholic.

 

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Further information:

• Pennsylvania’s Catholic Bishops issue statement on health care reform (Pennsylvania Catholic Conference)
• Catholic bishops won't endorse current health plan (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• U.S. Bishops: Current Health Care Bills Violate Essential Principles; Will Seek Changes Or Have To Oppose (USCCB, 10/8)