On June 28, the Supreme Court upheld as a tax the provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that requires individuals to purchase a health plan. Several statements regarding this passage are noteworthy: Click here to read the statement of the USCCB, here to read the statement of the National Catholic Bioethics Center and here to read the statement of the Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA). As you read the statement by CHA, note that it is still reviewing and evaluating the decision and that it may have addtional comments after the review is complete. Perhaps we could take the time to do the same -- review and evaluate what the Act states. Most importantly, continue to pray for our country, for those who make its laws, for those who are disproportionately affected by these laws and for those for whom appropriate health care is still out of reach.
As always, your comments are welcome.
When addressing the issue of the Affordable Care Act, special emphasis should be placed upon the statement by our bishops, whose mission is to teach and unite the American Catholic population, rather than the Catholic Health Association. The Affordable Care Act attacks the fundamental right to religious liberty in our country, in addition to the most vulnerable in our society, the unborn, whose death is not only condoned but also celebrated by many in our society. With such an act in place, we cannot be free to live our lives as Catholics. The Sisters of Christian Charity should be especially concerned as this act, which was passed through Congress illegally, will affect their ability to serve those in most need in hospitals.
ReplyDeleteMonica,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment! Rest assured that the Sisters of Christian Charity are especially concerned about this Act. Making sure that we know what is being said on all sides is one way in which we show our very strong concern. Hence, CHA, USCCB, and NCBC are represented in this post.