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On Monday, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops President Cardinal Francis George defended church leaders’ opposition towards the federal wellness reform law (PL 111-148), reiterating the group’s argument that the law will allow federal funding of abortion services, the AP/Yahoo! News reports (Zoll, AP/Yahoo! News, 11/15). George was speaking at the opening of USCCB’s annual fall assembly this week in Baltimore. The bishops will elect a successor to George, whose three-year presidential term ends this week (Burke, Religion News Service/Cleveland Plain Dealer, 11/15).
During the well being reform debate, USCCB forcefully fought the law due to the fact of its provisions on abortion coverage. The law allows wellness plans participating inside the insurance exchanges to provide abortion coverage if it is paid for privately and kept separate from federal dollars. After signing the law, President Obama issued an executive order affirming that federal funds would not be used for abortion services, except inside the limited cases already allowed below federal law. On Monday, HHS spokesperson Jenny Backus said Obama “made clear” that current federal restrictions “applied to all aspects with the new law in his executive order.”
Abortion-rights opponents, including USCCB, contend that neither the well being reform law nor Obama’s executive order sufficiently prevent federal funding of abortion services. George said in his remarks, “Our analysis of what the law itself says was correct, and our moral judgments are secure,” adding, “Throughout this public debate, the bishops kept the moral and intellectual integrity with the faith intact.”
George said that bishops have the authority to speak on moral issues related to civil laws but do not speak for all Catholics. The bishops must be concerned about the “wound towards the church’s unity” from the wellness reform debate, George said, adding, “I hope, trusting in the good will of all concerned, that implies could be identified to restore the seamless garment of ecclesial communion.”
Female, Progressive Catholic Leaders Support Law
Several women’s religious orders broke together with the bishops and supported the health reform law, including the Catholic Well being Association. Sister Carol Keehan, head of CHA, said the groups had “major concern” about abortion issues but supported the law as a first step to universal access to well being care (AP/Yahoo! News, 11/15).
Sister Simone Campbell, executive director with the Catholic social justice lobby Network, said she attempted unsuccessfully to discuss the health reform law with all the bishops. She added, “It breaks my heart that we cannot put our energy into having a real conversation about applying our Catholic faith … to practical reality.” Campbell said the law is “being carefully implemented to ensure there will be no federal funding for abortion.”
Chris Korzen, executive director of the progressive group Catholics United, said despite USCCB’s claims, it and other antiabortion-rights groups have not been able to produce evidence that the law is paying for abortion services. “Until they do so, their accusations ring hollow,” Korzen added (Religion News Service/Cleveland Plain Dealer, 11/15).
Reprinted with type permission from http://www.nationalpartnership.org. You’ll be able to view the whole Everyday Women’s Well being Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for e-mail delivery here. The Daily Women’s Wellness Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Ladies & Families.
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