US Senate confirms pro-abortion Catholic Sebelius as nation’s health secretary

April 29, 2009

Following a 65-31 vote by the United States Senate, Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius became the nation’s Secretary of Health and Human Services. Kansas City Archbishop Joseph Naumann had lamented the pro-abortion Catholic’s appointment to the position; he wrote in a March 6 archdiocesan newspaper column:

The Secretary for HHS will be a key figure in developing and implementing the Health Care Reform for the nation. There are those, who have great influence within the Obama administration and with whom Governor Sebelius has been associated throughout her political career (e.g. Planned Parenthood, National Organization of Women, NARAL, etc.), who want abortion not only to be permitted in this country but considered a right. If they are successful in their efforts to have abortion included amongst “basic health care services,” then it is entirely possible that doctors, nurses and health care institutions will be compelled to cooperate in the provision of abortion. Those advocating for abortion to be considered a “right” would love to see Catholic hospitals faced with the choice to either cooperate in providing abortions or close.

 

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Further information:

• Senate Confirms Kansas Governor as Health Secretary (New York Times)
• Senate Votes to Approve Pro-Abortion Obama HHS Nominee Kathleen Sebelius (LifeNews.com)
• Kansas Catholic Conference leader decries support for Sebelius (CWN, Mar 10)
• Archbishop Naumann laments Sebelius appointment, warns of threat to Catholic hospitals (CWN, Mar 5)