General
USCCB Health Care Reform Summary (2010)
The USCCB and Health Care Reform
For decades, the Catholic bishops of the United States have been calling for genuine life-affirming reform to the nation's health care system. Their efforts are rooted in John XXIII‟s encyclical Pacem in Terris, which listed medical care among those basic human rights flowing from the basic dignity of the human person. The bishops‟ pastoral letter of 1981 and statement on health care in 1993, as well as their advocacy for the State Children's Health Insurance Program and participation in events like “Cover the Uninsured Week” illustrate to the bishops‟ longstanding commitment to authentic health care reform.
After the 2008 national elections, as the nation turned its focus to comprehensive health care reform, the bishops recommitted themselves to pursuing life affirming health care for all, especially the poor and most vulnerable. The USCCB Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development established four criteria for fair and just health care reform:
- a truly universal health policy with respect for human life and dignity
- access for all with a special concern for poor and inclusion of legal immigrants
- pursuing the common good and preserving pluralism including freedom of conscience and variety of options
- restraining costs and applying them equitably across the spectrum of payers