Archbishop Aymond Comments on Health Care Vote

Monday, 22 March 2010 15:57

Obviously, I as well as my fellow bishops of the United States are disappointed that the health care bill passed in its present form. We hoped Congress would redesign the bill in such a way as to eliminate federal funding for abortion and strengthen the conscience clause so that medical care provided in Catholic hospitals will not be affected. It’s also disappointing that some of those within our Catholic family took a position that, in the long run, will not promote the good of society and does not help us live out the mandate of Christ. My heart goes out to all those Congressional representatives who stood strongly on their principles. Leading up to the vote on March 21, I was in conversation with Rep. Joseph Cao. He expressed to me on numerous occasions how his heart was really torn. He shared that his younger brother had a kidney transplant recently, and his brother had pleaded with him to vote in favor of the bill. So, for Rep. Cao, it was not only an issue of politics but also of family ties. Rep. Cao was consistent in applying Catholic moral principles. He said he could not vote for legislation that fostered abortion. He was concerned about the Catholic Church’s ability to continue its health care ministry in a way that is consonant with its ethical and moral principles. I truly appreciate and admire Rep. Cao’s statement that he wanted to vote for the bill for the good of the poor and those who are in need of health care. Yet, in conscience, he could not vote for something that contained federal funding for abortion and lacked a strong conscience clause. It takes a great deal of courage to stand strongly for what one believes in. Rep. Cao gave us an example of standing solidly for the values espoused by Jesus and the church in spite of personal criticism. There are many questions about the executive order that President Obama has promised to sign that he says would ban federal funds being used for abortions under the national health care plan. I am not a lawyer, but many legal experts say that if a court challenge is ever lodged, the language of the law will take precedence over anything in an executive order. And, an executive order can be changed with the stroke of a pen. We also know that if a case is ever brought to the U.S. Supreme Court, we do not know how the justices would vote in defending innocent human life. This bill certainly could encourage even more abortions in the future. It also will mean that we as Catholic bishops will have to look very closely at Catholic health care. It is disappointing that the Catholic Health Association supported the bill. The end – providing access to health care for more people – does not justify using our tax dollars to fund abortion. Please join me in prayer in order that we may courageously stand for Gospel values and encourage a culture of life in our country. God bless America. Most Rev. Gregory M. Aymond Archbishop of New Orleans