Bishops' Campaign Declares War on Abortion Funding in Health Care [EWTN]

[johnXXIII]

If You Don’t Have Insurance

Quality, Affordable Choices for All Americans

* Creates a new insurance marketplace – the Exchange – that allows people without insurance and small businesses to compare plans and buy insurance at competitive prices.  The President’s plan allows Americans who have health insurance and like it to keep it.  But for those who lose their jobs, change jobs or move, new high quality, affordable options will be available in the exchange.  Beginning in 2013, the Exchange will give Americans without access to affordable insurance on the job, and small businesses one-stop shopping for insurance where they can easily compare options based on price, benefits, and quality. 
* Provides new tax credits to help people buy insurance. The President’s plan will provide new tax credits on a sliding scale to individuals and families that will limit how much of their income can be spent on premiums.  There will also be greater protection for cost-sharing for out-of-pocket expenses.
* Provides small businesses tax credits and affordable options for covering employees. The President’s plan will also provide small businesses with tax credits to offset costs of providing coverage for their workers.  Small businesses who for too long have faced higher prices than larger businesses, will now be eligible to enter the exchange so that they have lower costs and more choices for covering their workers.
* Offers a public health insurance option to provide the uninsured and those who can’t find affordable coverage with a real choice.   The President believes this option will promote competition, hold insurance companies accountable and assure affordable choices. It is completely voluntary.  The President believes the public option must operate like any private insurance company – it must be self-sufficient and rely on the premiums it collects. 
* Immediately offers new, low-cost coverage through a national "high risk" pool to protect people with preexisting conditions from financial ruin until the new Exchange is created.  For those Americans who cannot get insurance coverage today because of a pre-existing condition, the President’s plan will immediately make available coverage without a mark-up due to their health condition. This policy will offer protection against financial ruin until a wider array of choices become available in the new exchange in 2013.

For All Americans

Reins In the Cost of Health Care for Our Families, Our Businesses, and Our Government

* Won’t add a dime to the deficit and is paid for upfront.  The President’s plan will not add one dime to the deficit today or in the future and is paid for in a fiscally responsible way.   It begins the process of reforming the health care system so that we can further curb health care cost growth over the long term, and invests in quality improvements, consumer protections, prevention, and premium assistance.  The plan fully pays for this investment through health system savings and new revenue including a fee on insurance companies that sell very expensive plans.
* Requires additional cuts if savings are not realized. Under the plan, if the savings promised at the time of enactment don’t materialize, the President will be required to put forth additional savings to ensure that the plan does not add to the deficit.
* Implements a number of delivery system reforms that begin to rein in health care costs and align incentives for hospitals, physicians, and others to improve quality.  The President’s plan includes proposals that will improve the way care is delivered to emphasize quality over quantity, including:  incentives for hospitals to prevent avoidable readmissions, pilots for new "bundled" payments in Medicare, and support for new models of delivering care through medical homes and accountable care organizations that focus on a coordinated approach to care and outcomes.
* Creates an independent commission of doctors and medical experts to identify waste, fraud and abuse in the health care system.   The President’s plan will create an independent Commission, made up of doctors and medical experts, to make recommendations to Congress each year on how to promote greater efficiency and higher quality in Medicare.  The Commission will not be authorized to propose or implement Medicare changes that ration care or affect benefits, eligibility or beneficiary access to care.  It will ensure that your tax dollars go directly to caring for seniors.
* Orders immediate medical malpractice reform projects that could help doctors focus on putting their patients first, not on practicing defensive medicine.  The President’s plan instructs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to move forward on awarding medical malpractice demonstration grants to states funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality as soon as possible.
* Requires large employers to cover their employees and individuals who can afford it to buy insurance so everyone shares in the responsibility of reform.   Under the President’s plan, large businesses – those with more than 50 workers – will be required to offer their workers coverage or pay a fee to help cover the cost of making coverage affordable in the exchange. This will ensure that workers in firms not offering coverage will have affordable coverage options for themselves and their families.  Individuals who can afford it will have a responsibility to purchase coverage – but there will be a "hardship exemption" for those who cannot.:):):):):):):):)

 

[RHC]

No, Jim, you don’t get it, the health care bill only clarifies how the funds will be dispersed. We may not like this but legal abortions are the law of the land. Without any reference to abortion funding in the health care bill, payments will be made through the already approved funds of Roe Vs Wade. The language i the health care plan directs the procedure of payments which will releive the funds approved in Roe vs Wade. This way there will be one fund instead of two funds for abortion.
Jim, it took court orders and appeals to the Supreme Court to get this Abortion Legislation approved for America. If we want to intelligently, and successfully abolish abortion, it won’t be by cutting the funding. American Catholics represent about 20% of the American voters.
Jim, this is not true, and could even considered a lie.
‘’‘The Court imposed abortion on the country. We kill over 1 million unborn children each year, and that’s what this Congress calls health care. It’s about continuing the killing at taxpayer expense’’’

Do you have proofs for these statements? How could Jim’s statement “be considered a lie”?

Roe v. Wade was a Supreme Court decision, not a legislative action. The facts on this are in the history books. Yes, the SCOTUS imposed abortion on the country. More than 1 million children are aborted per year: data here

The Senate bill would provide funding for abortion (violating long-standing policy on federal funds) and would not provide significant protection for healthcare workers who do not want to provide/participate in abortions.

So what part of his statement “could even be considered a lie”?

 

[RHC]

Our Glorious Leader President Barack Obama and the Democratic Party of the American People have overcome the obstructionist of America and prevailed in giving us affordable safe health insurance, thanks be to God.

• Ends discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions. Over the last three years, 12 million people were denied coverage directly or indirectly through high premiums due to a pre-existing condition. Under the President’s plan, it will be against the law for insurance companies to deny coverage for health reasons or risks.
  • Limits premium discrimination based on gender and age. The President’s plan will end insurers’ practice of charging different premiums or denying coverage based on gender, and will limit premium variation based on age.
  • Prevents insurance companies from dropping coverage when people are sick and need it most. The President’s plan prohibits insurance companies from rescinding coverage that has already been purchased except in cases of fraud. In most states, insurance companies can cancel a policy if any medical condition was not listed on the application – even one not related to a current illness or one the patient didn’t even know about. A recent Congressional investigation found that over five years, three large insurance companies cancelled coverage for 20,000 people, saving them from paying $300 million in medical claims - $300 million that became either an obligation for the patient’s family or bad debt for doctors and hospitals.
  • Caps out-of pocket expenses so people don’t go broke when they get sick. The President’s plan will cap out-of-pocket expenses and will prohibit insurance companies from imposing annual or lifetime caps on benefit payments. A middle-class family purchasing health insurance directly from the individual insurance market today could spend up to 50 percent of household income on health care costs because there is no limit on out-of-pocket expenses.
  • Eliminates extra charges for preventive care like mammograms, flu shots and diabetes tests to improve health and save money. The President’s plan ensures that all Americans have access to free preventive services under their health insurance plans. Too many Americans forgo needed preventive care, in part because of the cost of check-ups and screenings that can identify health problems early when they can be most effectively treated. For example, 24 percent of women age 40 and over have not received a mammogram in the past two years, and 38 percent of adults age 50 and over have never had a colon cancer screening.
  • Protects Medicare for seniors. The President’s plan will extend new protections for Medicare beneficiaries that improve quality, coordinate care and reduce beneficiary and program costs. These protections will extend the life of the Medicare Trust Fund to pay for care for future generations.
  • Eliminates the “donut-hole” gap in coverage for prescription drugs. The President’s plan begins immediately to close the Medicare “donut hole” - a current gap in its drug benefit - by providing a 50 percent discount on brand-name prescription drugs for seniors who fall into it. In 2007, over 8 million seniors hit this coverage gap in the standard Medicare drug benefit. By 2019, the President’s plan will completely close the “donut hole”. The average out-of-pocket spending for such beneficiaries who lack another source of insurance is $4,080.

Link, please?

Maybe I’ve spent too many years in journalism, but anything that starts with “Our Glorious Leader President Barack Obama and the Democratic Party of the American People have overcome the obstructionist of America and prevailed in giving us affordable safe health insurance, thanks be to God.” makes me raise an eyebrow. Link, please. Or, if that was your own creation, at least a link to all your data.

Edited to add: Never mind. I found it: www.whitehouse.gov.

Of course the White House is going to provide its spin on the healthcare plan on its Web site. But it’s just as biased a source as any. So, if you don’t mind, let me rephrase my request: do you have any unbiased sources? Proof from objective third parties?

 

[JReducation]

Our Glorious Leader President Barack Obama and the Democratic Party of the American People have overcome the obstructionist of America and prevailed in giving us affordable safe health insurance, thanks be to God.

• Ends discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions. Over the last three years, 12 million people were denied coverage directly or indirectly through high premiums due to a pre-existing condition. Under the President’s plan, it will be against the law for insurance companies to deny coverage for health reasons or risks.
  • Limits premium discrimination based on gender and age. The President’s plan will end insurers’ practice of charging different premiums or denying coverage based on gender, and will limit premium variation based on age.
  • Prevents insurance companies from dropping coverage when people are sick and need it most. The President’s plan prohibits insurance companies from rescinding coverage that has already been purchased except in cases of fraud. In most states, insurance companies can cancel a policy if any medical condition was not listed on the application – even one not related to a current illness or one the patient didn’t even know about. A recent Congressional investigation found that over five years, three large insurance companies cancelled coverage for 20,000 people, saving them from paying $300 million in medical claims - $300 million that became either an obligation for the patient’s family or bad debt for doctors and hospitals.
  • Caps out-of pocket expenses so people don’t go broke when they get sick. The President’s plan will cap out-of-pocket expenses and will prohibit insurance companies from imposing annual or lifetime caps on benefit payments. A middle-class family purchasing health insurance directly from the individual insurance market today could spend up to 50 percent of household income on health care costs because there is no limit on out-of-pocket expenses.
  • Eliminates extra charges for preventive care like mammograms, flu shots and diabetes tests to improve health and save money. The President’s plan ensures that all Americans have access to free preventive services under their health insurance plans. Too many Americans forgo needed preventive care, in part because of the cost of check-ups and screenings that can identify health problems early when they can be most effectively treated. For example, 24 percent of women age 40 and over have not received a mammogram in the past two years, and 38 percent of adults age 50 and over have never had a colon cancer screening.
  • Protects Medicare for seniors. The President’s plan will extend new protections for Medicare beneficiaries that improve quality, coordinate care and reduce beneficiary and program costs. These protections will extend the life of the Medicare Trust Fund to pay for care for future generations.
  • Eliminates the “donut-hole” gap in coverage for prescription drugs. The President’s plan begins immediately to close the Medicare “donut hole” - a current gap in its drug benefit - by providing a 50 percent discount on brand-name prescription drugs for seniors who fall into it. In 2007, over 8 million seniors hit this coverage gap in the standard Medicare drug benefit. By 2019, the President’s plan will completely close the “donut hole”. The average out-of-pocket spending for such beneficiaries who lack another source of insurance is $4,080.

Right now, I have cancer and diabetes. But I would rather die with dignity and a moral conscience than have all the healthcare in the world at the expense of the unborn. My life is not worth that much. I have no right to hold on to life, when I have already had my chance to live it and to make choices.

I have lived it, made choices, some of which I am not proud of. But I have also made choices that have made a difference in this world, in my family and in my Church. Most importantly, I have made the fundamental option for Jesus. The unborn will not have the chance that I have had. I abdicate my right to healthcare, for their right to have the same chances that I have enjoyed, if that’s what it takes.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Holly3278]

Because of faults in the healthcare reform bills, the USCCB is issuing a mandatory bulletin insert for this weekend urging opposition to the current healthcare reform bills.

Bishops Call for Unprecedented, Massive Catholic Opposition to Abortion in Health Care Reform @ Catholic Online (www.catholic.org) catholic.org/politics/story.php?id=34735

Also look up the links in the article for up to the date information.

God bless!

Awesome! I am so glad to see our bishops taking serious action on this!

 

[Eric_Hilbert]

Highly suggest we start posting with charity.
Thank you.

 

[AnotherVoice]

Highly suggest we start posting with charity.
Thank you.

Based upon what has been said about the insurance reform bill in this thread a little accuracy would also be nice.

 

[Eric_Hilbert]

Based upon what has been said about the insurance reform bill in this thread a little accuracy would also be nice.

**
Moderators are neutral.
Following forum rules on charity must be observed.**

 

[JimG]

Jim, this is not true, and could even considered a lie.
‘’‘The Court imposed abortion on the country. We kill over 1 million unborn children each year, and that’s what this Congress calls health care. It’s about continuing the killing at taxpayer expense’’’

No, those statements are true. The Court did impose abortion on the country, in the process overturning the state laws enacted by every state in the union which had regulated abortion. That’s Court imposed law. And the Court is not a legislature. One of the dissenters called the decision in R v W “an exercise in raw judicial power.”

And yes, there are a million abortions each year in the country. Roe did not fund abortions. Roe said nothing about funding. Congress enacted the Hyde amendment to prevent the government from funding abortions. Yet abortion will be covered in the health care bill.

 

[johnXXIII]

If you can’t win, don’t start a fight

* The President signed the Children’s Health Insurance Reauthorization Act on February 4, 2009, which provides quality health care to 11 million kids – 4 million who were previously uninsured.
* The President’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act protects health coverage for 7 million Americans who lose their jobs through a 65 percent COBRA subsidy to make coverage affordable.
* The Recovery Act also invests $19 billion in computerized medical records that will help to reduce costs and improve quality while ensuring patients’ privacy.
* The Recovery Act also provides:
      o $1 billion for prevention and wellness to improve America’s health and help to reduce health care costs;
      o $1.1 billion for research to give doctors tools to make the best treatment decisions for their patients by providing objective information on the relative benefits of treatments; and
      o $500 million for health workforce to help train the next generation of doctors and nurses.

Guiding Principles

President Obama is committed to working with Congress to pass comprehensive health reform in his first year in order to control rising health care costs, guarantee choice of doctor, and assure high-quality, affordable health care for all Americans.

* Learn about the fundamental health insurance consumer protections included in reform.

Comprehensive health care reform can no longer wait. Rapidly escalating health care costs are crushing family, business, and government budgets. Employer-sponsored health insurance premiums have doubled in the last 9 years, a rate 3 times faster than cumulative wage increases. This forces families to sit around the kitchen table to make impossible choices between paying rent or paying health premiums. Given all that we spend on health care, American families should not be presented with that choice. The United States spent approximately $2.2 trillion on health care in 2007, or $7,421 per person – nearly twice the average of other developed nations. Americans spend more on health care than on housing or food. If rapid health cost growth persists, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that by 2025, one out of every four dollars in our national economy will be tied up in the health system. This growing burden will limit other investments and priorities that are needed to grow our economy. Rising health care costs also affect our economic competitiveness in the global economy, as American companies compete against companies in other countries that have dramatically lower health care costs.

The President has vowed that the health reform process will be different in his Administration – an open, inclusive, and transparent process where all ideas are encouraged and all parties work together to find a solution to the health care crisis. Working together with members of Congress, doctors and hospitals, businesses and unions, and other key health care stakeholders, the President is committed to making sure we finally enact comprehensive health care reform.

The Administration believes that comprehensive health reform should:

* Reduce long-term growth of health care costs for businesses and government
* Protect families from bankruptcy or debt because of health care costs
* Guarantee choice of doctors and health plans
* Invest in prevention and wellness
* Improve patient safety and quality of care
* Assure affordable, quality health coverage for all Americans
* Maintain coverage when you change or lose your job
* End barriers to coverage for people with pre-existing medical conditions:):):):):):)

I may be wrong, it happened once before, but the way I see it, the health care bill will not stop funding abortions. Abortions will be committed even if the funds are restricted in the insurance policy of the health care bill. Insurance companies don’t want to insure ‘‘self inflected injuries’’ which abortion could be considered. You may buy insurance for any other ‘‘self inflected injuries’’ other the likes of plastic surgery. What I hear is the discussion about how to include it innto the universal insurance, I donnn’t think that they can. It must be seperate, so, if it is seperate, leave it alone, and let the R vs W funds continue to funds the abortions. As you read this, 3,000 abortions are being committed and being paid for by the appreations funded at the beginning of this fiscal year for abortions. In my humble opinion, this is all a republican hijaking of the democrat health care plan. It is a total waste of time and money and the Roman Catholics of America have fallen for it.

 

[Timbothefiveth]

paying for abortions won’t allow or stop abortions, money has nothing to do with abortions, can’t you get that through your head.

Are abortions suddenly free? If you fund anything, chances are more will happen. If we payed for new cars, people would buy new cars, if we paid when people took out hits on those already born, there would be an increase in hired killings.

The President signed the Children’s Health Insurance Reauthorization Act on February 4, 2009, which provides quality health care to 11 million kids – 4 million who were previously uninsured.

• The President’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act protects health coverage for 7 million Americans who lose their jobs through a 65 percent COBRA subsidy to make coverage affordable.
• The Recovery Act also invests $19 billion in computerized medical records that will help to reduce costs and improve quality while ensuring patients’ privacy.
• The Recovery Act also provides:
  o $1 billion for prevention and wellness to improve America’s health and help to reduce health care costs;
  o $1.1 billion for research to give doctors tools to make the best treatment decisions for their patients by providing objective information on the relative benefits of treatments; and
  o $500 million for health workforce to help train the next generation of doctors and nurses.

All of this is moot when taken in light of just 4 words:

Exodus 20:13: Thou shalt not kill.

All that spending is great, but it doesn’t justify killing people. Let’s say healthcare reform said it would pay to kill black people, or any group other than the unborn. Would you support it then?

As you read this, 3,000 abortions are being committed and being paid for by the appreations funded at the beginning of this fiscal year for abortions.

The fires of injustice are burning. Your answer is to throw gasoline on it?

In my humble opinion, this is all a republican hijaking of the democrat health care plan.

The hi-jackers are the ones that want us to pay for it.

It is a total waste of time and money and the Roman Catholics of America have fallen for it.

You cannot do something evil (fund abortions) so that good may result. It is no waste of time to oppose something evil. The USCCB has called this out as being evil. If you check the USCCB’s other positions, you will see that they disagree with republicans too when needed.

Finally, please remember exactly what this bill would be making us pay to destroy.

Do we need real healthcare reform? Yes, but it can’t pay for abortions.

 

[RHC]

If you can’t win, don’t start a fight

With all charity - do you have any proof, other than propaganda quoted directly from the White House? I would love to have a discussion with you based on facts, not on spin and propaganda.

 

[johnXXIII]

The last time I posted here was the evening after I received the USCCB guidance insert in our bulletin on the upcoming election- about a year ago.

I was angry at the ambiguity of the document- in the insert-- regarding abortion that I felt compelled to voice it. It stated in no uncertain terms, as long as you didn’t vote for a candidate because of their abortion position, you can. The Moral good, if you will.

My post, I thought while angry but still respectful- I thought- was deleted.

My comment on this is we reap what we sow. Catholic’s are responsible for this. We will never rid the world of the poor or injustice, but Catholic’s could very easily end, or at least slow as ‘Law of The Land’, the practice of abortion through the simple ballot box. With proper strong, clear leadership from our Church. Very simple. No ‘Social Justice’ comments need apply.

We will see what happens if this provision sticks in the final bill. Rest assured, through some back door it will eventually find the funds.

I remember telling some Protestant friends years ago you’ll need the measely one horse institition like the Catholic Church to stand against those who want to destroy the holding values you hold true. To steal from ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’.

I’ve been wrong in that-- the leadership and with the scandals our moral certitude hasn’t been there. No matter all of the recent problems with the clergy, at the end of the day, I believe many Catholics will seriously consider the rammifications of voting a certain way on ones soul, if told… clearly.

Maybe now, in this 11th hour, we can start to make a difference.

---

So, we vote all of the catholics out of office and only vote for the protestants. who will. not vote,the catholic view either, so what to do, I know, stop voting, and let the nation go to hell

The Annunciation is the Christian celebration of the announcement to Mary by the angel Gabriel that she would become the Theotokos (God-bearer). Even though a virgin, Mary would conceive a child who would be the Son of God. Gabriel told Mary to name her son Jesus (“Yahweh delivers”). Most of Christianity observes this event with the Feast of the Annunciation on 25 March.

According to the Bible, the Annunciation occurred in “the sixth month” of Elizabeth’s pregnancy (Luke 1:26) with the child who would become known as John the Baptist. This celebration of Jesus′ incarnation falls nine months before that of his Nativity.

The date of the Annunciation also marked the New Year in many places, including England, where it is called Lady Day. Both the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches hold that the Annunciation took place at Nazareth, but differ as to the precise location. The Church of the Annunciation marks the site preferred by the former, while the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation marks that of the latter.

The annunciation has been a key topic in Christian art in general, as well as in Roman Catholic Marian art, particularly during the Middle Ages and Renaissance.

 

[RHC]

---

So, we vote all of the catholics out of office and only vote for the protestants. who will. not vote,the catholic view either, so what to do, I know, stop voting, and let the nation go to hell

The Annunciation is the Christian celebration of the announcement to Mary by the angel Gabriel that she would become the Theotokos (God-bearer). Even though a virgin, Mary would conceive a child who would be the Son of God. Gabriel told Mary to name her son Jesus (“Yahweh delivers”). Most of Christianity observes this event with the Feast of the Annunciation on 25 March.

According to the Bible, the Annunciation occurred in “the sixth month” of Elizabeth’s pregnancy (Luke 1:26) with the child who would become known as John the Baptist. This celebration of Jesus′ incarnation falls nine months before that of his Nativity.

The date of the Annunciation also marked the New Year in many places, including England, where it is called Lady Day. Both the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches hold that the Annunciation took place at Nazareth, but differ as to the precise location. The Church of the Annunciation marks the site preferred by the former, while the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation marks that of the latter.

The annunciation has been a key topic in Christian art in general, as well as in Roman Catholic Marian art, particularly during the Middle Ages and Renaissance.

I’m not sure what the Annunciation has to do with healthcare. Can you help me understand?

Regarding the title of your post - America may not be a “Catholic” country, but we do not have to acquiesce to killing of innocents just because it is popular. We, as Catholics, are called to stand for what is right, regardless of what is popular. “Getting along” is not an option when evil is the result.

 

[JReducation]

I was wondering about the Annunciation message as well. Suddenly, something dawned on me. God breaks into human history by becoming incarnate as a human baby in a mother’s womb. How can we be so selfish as to think about healthcare for ourselves and not for the child in the womb? Did not Elizabeth recognize the life in the womb of Mary and in her own?

“The moment that the Mother of my Lord . . . the child in my womb leaped for joy.”

Luke reminds us that there are two children who are alive and filled with life, who fill the world with fire. Anyone who has a conscience can’t possibly ignore the life of the John and Jesus in the womb as they exchange greetings.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[nohamaria]

I’m not sure what the Annunciation has to do with healthcare. Can you help me understand?

Regarding the title of your post - America may not be a “Catholic” country, but we do not have to acquiesce to killing of innocents just because it is popular. We, as Catholics, are called to stand for what is right, regardless of what is popular. “Getting along” is not an option when evil is the result.

The Annunciation is a good example about how a woman should react
when unexpected pregnancy occured.
The Virgin Mary, who knows that her society will judge her,
and she will be stoned , because her pregnancy comes when
she’s not yet married to her Fiance St. Joseph.
It is a good lesson of courage and love to God.
The women in our current society won’t face persecutions,
nor any single underesteem, but, unfortunately they
choose to kill the unborn for lack of love and responsability.
Please think about it, there is a lot to be said in this matter.
Hope , that every woman will be conscious of the harm she’s causing
to the hole humanity when she refuse to be a mother.
May God Have mercy on us.
I refuse such bill healthcare when it costs the life
of innocent unborn babies.
Sincerely.
Nohamaria

 

[JReducation]

To piggy back abortion funding into healthcare reform is an injustice to the unborn, to the sick poor, and to those citizens who, in conscience, cannot support abortion. They are two separate questions.

Do we need and want healthcare reform in the USA and around the world? Of course we do.

Do we want to pay taxes to fund abortion? No. Pregnancy is not an illness and an uwnated child is not a disease.

The Gospel does not allow us to make these kind of compromises. The Gospel does not ask us to accept evil to achieve a good as long as we have a choice in the matter. The last time that we looked, this was a democratic nation where citizens have a right to vote on these issues. This is a nation that was built upon the principle that taxation without representation is tyranny of the worse kind. Now we’re being asked to pay taxes for something that too many of us consider a grave injustice, without representation. A question of the magnitude of abortion deserves to be taken to a referendum of some kind. You cannot treat human life as you would property tax. At least in the case of property tax you’re allegedly paying taxes on the equity on your property, which can be called a form of income. But where is the benefit of abortion? Who does it benefit?

The facts show that it doesn’t even benefit those men and women who procure an abortion. The after effects are often horrendous. This information is not shared with the general public who is being taxed for this violation of justice.

A natioin who denies the right to be born, has taken the first step toward totalitarianism. It can also deny it’s citizens other rights that are not as basic.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Teelynn]

To piggy back abortion funding into healthcare reform is an injustice to the unborn, to the sick poor, and to those citizens who, in conscience, cannot support abortion. They are two separate questions.

Do we need and want healthcare reform in the USA and around the world? Of course we do.

Do we want to pay taxes to fund abortion? No. Pregnancy is not an illness and an uwnated child is not a disease.

The Gospel does not allow us to make these kind of compromises. The Gospel does not ask us to accept evil to achieve a good as long as we have a choice in the matter. The last time that we looked, this was a democratic nation where citizens have a right to vote on these issues. This is a nation that was built upon the principle that taxation without representation is tyranny of the worse kind. Now we’re being asked to pay taxes for something that too many of us consider a grave injustice, without representation. A question of the magnitude of abortion deserves to be taken to a referendum of some kind. You cannot treat human life as you would property tax. At least in the case of property tax you’re allegedly paying taxes on the equity on your property, which can be called a form of income. But where is the benefit of abortion? Who does it benefit?

The facts show that it doesn’t even benefit those men and women who procure an abortion. The after effects are often horrendous. This information is not shared with the general public who is being taxed for this violation of justice.

A natioin who denies the right to be born, has taken the first step toward totalitarianism. It can also deny it’s citizens other rights that are not as basic.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

Your last sentence is quite accurate. This administration, I am afraid and unfortunately is wanting to do just that. And it looks like they are moving right along.

 

[RHC]

I was wondering about the Annunciation message as well. Suddenly, something dawned on me. God breaks into human history by becoming incarnate as a human baby in a mother’s womb. How can we be so selfish as to think about healthcare for ourselves and not for the child in the womb? Did not Elizabeth recognize the life in the womb of Mary and in her own?

“The moment that the Mother of my Lord . . . the child in my womb leaped for joy.”

Luke reminds us that there are two children who are alive and filled with life, who fill the world with fire. Anyone who has a conscience can’t possibly ignore the life of the John and Jesus in the womb as they exchange greetings.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

Excellent point! Thank you.

 

[thecross]

Here is the proposed mandatory bulletin insert. It’s rather long for a bulletin insert. And the headline: “Tell Congress: Remove Abortion Funding & Mandates from Needed Health Care Reform,” is both too long and gives a mixed message, reflecting the bishops longstanding ambivalence on this issue.

Ambivalence isn’t really the right word. They know what they want: both healthcare reform AND no abortion funding.

What’s not clear to me is this: If they can’t get the no abortion funding, will they work to stop the healthcare bill dead in its tracks?

The USCCB seems to not quite understand the ferocity of the pro-abortion commitment by a great many congressional Democrats. If the bishops and the rest of us are successful in putting a Hyde Amendment equivalent into a bill, many pro-abortion congressmen and lobbyists will work fiercely to simply defeat the bill rather than allow a ban on abortion funding.

I was taught not to fight unless I had to, and if I could win. Directing our tax paying money to programs we support and restricting our tax money funds from programs we disagree with or truly don’t support, sounds good, there are many government programs each of us would like not to support. I personally think we can’t get the government to allow that on our income taxes or in the laws of the land. I think it would be very difficult getting the Supreme Court to allow American tax-payers to chose the government programs we individually wish to support. Am I off track or do I have a point?
Men of good will have for the past fifty years tried to get universal health care for Americans and have failed to put it together right. Thousands of people are dieing each year with out aduquet health care.