U.S. Catholic Bishops Launch Web Site on Health Care Reform, Their Position and Concerns

From the USCCB:

Genuine health care reform that protects the life and dignity of all is a moral imperative and a vital national obligation" - Bishop William F. Murphy

• a truly universal health policy with respect for human life and dignity
• access for all with a special concern for the 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

Read Letter to Congress to Help Reform Health Care, Protect Human Life and Dignity (PDF)
Bishop William Murphy, July 17, 2009

Call your members of Congress (use the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 to contact your Representative or Senators) and tell them health care reform should:

1. Include health care coverage for all people from conception until natural death, and continue the federal ban on funding for abortions;
2. Include access for all with a special concern for the poor;
3. Pursue the common good and preserve pluralism, including freedom of conscience; and
4. Restrain costs and apply costs equitably among payers.
   

What I feel personally:

Federal health care assistance should be extended ONLY to those in need on a sliding scale based on income. This federally assisted system is already in place via social services and community service boards across the country. It should be enhanced; it needs to be enhanced.

I do not want to pay for the health care of individuals who have the ability to pay for private insurance, but choose to put their money toward buying a car every four years, or racking up purchases on their credit cards. This only takes away from the poor or unemployed who need this service. A system such as this could go bankrupt if not managed properly. It should be well funded and reserved for people in need, not sucked dry by people looking for a free ride.

No health care, or anything for that matter, is ever free(except the pre-paid salvation offered by Jesus). Either we pay for private insurance and inflated medical costs, or we pay via increased taxes. My husband and I have insurance through his workplace, but it is not free! It's reduced cost, but definitely not free. I just paid $400.00 out of pocket for an ER visit, and I'll gladly pay it and cut back on my expenses for a few months rather than make the tax payer foot my bill. It's my bill, my responsibility, and I know that some of these inflated ER costs are going for charity patients(ER visits are free for the indigent). I am good with this.

We need to take care of our needy(Christ demands it), but we also need to stand on our own two feet. Not all of us should be given a free ride as it encourages sloth and dependence on government. Personally, I feel big government infantilizes society; that's my Libertarian leanings exposed.