Friday, June 29, 2012

Bishop McFadden in the Supreme Court Ruling


Statement by Bishop Joseph P. McFadden on Supreme Court Ruling
Regarding the Affordable Care Act 


Today's decision by the Supreme Court to uphold the Affordable Care Act is a disappointment for me and the Church of Harrisburg. It does not address the three main reasons why the U.S. Catholic bishops ultimately opposed final passage of Affordable Care Act.

Those being:

1 ) It allows use of federal funds to pay for elective abortions and for plans that cover such abortions. This contradicts longstanding federal policy.

2) The ACA does not provide essential conscience protection. People of faith will now be forced to either violate deeply held religious beliefs or pay crippling fines because of the HHS mandate that forces religious and other employers to cover sterilization and contraception, including abortifacient drugs.

3) ACA fails to treat immigrant workers and their families fairly, leaving them worse off by not allowing them to purchase health coverage in the new exchanges created under the law, even if they use their own money.

The Catholic bishops of the United States, for nearly a century, have been and continue to be consistent advocates for comprehensive health care reform to ensure access to life-affirming health care for all, especially the poorest and the most vulnerable.

I urge all to continue to ask Congress to pass, and the Administration to sign, legislation to correct the three main flaws mentioned.

No comments:

Post a Comment