State's Bishops Speak on Health Care Reform

Tuesday, 27 October 2009 17:51

BATON ROUGE – The Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued a statement regarding the need to reform access to health care in the United States, which was released on Monday, October 26. The statement reads as follows:    "The Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops recognizes the need to reform access to health care in the United States. The Catholic Church has been and continues to be an advocate for health care reform that provides medical care for all in an accessible and affordable manner. According to church teaching, health care is not merely a privilege, but a basic human right. In Pacem in Terris, Pope John XXIII stated that 'rights are universal and inviolable, and therefore altogether inalienable.'  These include, but are not limited to, the 'right to medical care,' and 'to be looked after in the event of ill health.'  The New Testament Scriptures further reveal an apostolic duty, commanded by Jesus, to heal the sick while proclaiming the Gospel (MT 10: 7-8). For centuries, Catholic hospitals have served and ministered to the sick and the dying. Other Catholic institutions have welcomed and served the elderly, handicapped, expectant mothers, newborns, and others with physical, emotional or spiritual needs. This is an important expression of our respect for the innate dignity that lies within every human being, regardless of race, nationality, religion, political opinion, or social class. This respect for life and dignity directs us to urge congress to support reforms that: Exclude public health care monies for abortion; Prohibit any form of euthanasia; Protect the right of conscience of a health care professional or institution; and Respect the right of a physician and a patient to decide treatment for the healing of that patient without interference. Finally, in shaping public policy on access to health care, we appeal to congress for a plan that ensures basic affordable medical care for all, including legal immigrants, and a plan that protects the role of personal and private entities in carrying out their health care mission.   The bishops urge that any health care plan embraces all of these principles, and invite all Catholics to pray for all legislators that they will be enlightened by God to know what is good for our society and particularly those in need."    The Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops is composed of the Bishops and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of New Orleans and the six Dioceses of the State of Louisiana. They are The Most Rev. Gregory M. Aymond, Archbishop of New Orleans; The Most Rev. Sam G. Jacobs, Bishop of Houma-Thibodaux;  The Most Rev. Michael Jarrell, Bishop of Lafayette; The Most Rev. Robert W. Muench, Bishop of Baton Rouge; The Most Rev. Ronald P. Herzog, Bishop of Alexandria; The Most Rev. Glen John Provost, Bishop of Lake Charles; The Most Rev. Michael G. Duca, Bishop of Shreveport; and The Most Rev. Shelton J. Fabre, Auxiliary Bishop of New Orleans.