Action Needed on Health Care

Congress again is preparing to vote on health care reform. At this stage, it is difficult to predict how votes might unfold. It is very important that the language in the House-passed bill preventing abortion funding—the Stupak-Pitts Amendment—be incorporated in its essential features as a part of any final bill. 

Votes could occur at any time. Please click on the link HERE to send a message to House and Senate Members! Act now! 

What has happened up to this point in the health care reform debate? The U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate have passed different bills. On the question of preventing abortion funding, the House language is good, the Senate language is unacceptable. Outside the abortion context, neither bill has adequate conscience protection for health care providers, plans or employers.

What’s next? The two chambers need to agree on a final bill. It is not clear how this will be achieved. There is discussion of using a reconciliation bill, a budget measure that in the Senate cannot be filibustered and needs only 51 votes to pass.

Analyses of the House and Senate-passed bills can be found at the National Committee for a Human Life Amendment website at: www.nchla.org/issues.asp?ID=51.

Thank you for all you do in support of life!

Help to ensure health care the promotes health, not death!

For even more detailed information, check out the Bishop's website on Health Care Reform.