Republican ex-senator-- now with Catholic college-- blasts bishops on abortion, health care [CC]

[Catholic_Press]

David Durenberger, the former Republican senator from Minnesota who now heads the National Institute of Health Policy at the University of St. Thomas, has strongly criticized the nation’s bishops for their support of the Stupak amendment, which passed the House in a 240-194 vote and bars the use of federal funds from paying for most abortions in health care reform legislation.

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[mdgspencer]

It always is unpleasant to hear someone who calls himself a Catholic to speak out against opposition to abortion. He really can’t understand why the bishops can be against abortion strongly.

David Durenberger, the former Republican senator from Minnesota who now heads the National Institute of Health Policy at the University of St. Thomas, has strongly criticized the nation’s bishops for their support of the Stupak amendment, which passed the House in a 240-194 vote and bars the use of federal funds from paying for most abortions in health care reform legislation.

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[Nordar]

I can’t understand why they call themselves Catholic, the do not agree with the teaching so what is the point?

 

[tomarin]

I can’t understand why they call themselves Catholic, the do not agree with the teaching so what is the point?

The point is to turn the Catholic Church into a larger version of the Episcopal Church.

 

[SamH]

“How did a national law to prevent insurance companies, whose premium costs are defrayed in part by tax subsidies, from providing medical services related to abortion get to be a higher public priority for all Americans, not just Catholics, than financing access to health care services?”

When he realizes it wasn’t an “either / or” decision I hope he’s just as emphatic in his apology.

 

[Catholic1954]

I agree with Mr. Durenberger. As well intention as the Stupak amendment was, it will do nothing to deter abortion under national healthcare coverage. The bishops would have done better to oppose the entire bill that will tax middle income families into ruin, ration healthcare for all Americans and still provide for free abortion on demand for anyone who walks in the door and wants one.

 

[MJE]

I agree w/ Catholic1954. The healthcare bill is so bad in every respect and I have no confidence in the Stupak amendment. Once this camel gets his nose under the tent it will be just a matter of time. As Rush says, 'abortion is a sacrament for the liberal democrats"; Abortion is the unifier for these libs and they, including the president, will not abandon their abortion goals.

 

[mdgspencer]

From what I have heard, you may be right and this amendment may not deter abortion at all. However, the original post was about a former Senator who was upset that the bishops opposed abortion, and he was angry that their opposition impeded the health bill for a day or so, which is all their opposition meant. Whether this health care bill is a good thing or not is a different question.

I agree with Mr. Durenberger. As well intention as the Stupak amendment was, it will do nothing to deter abortion under national healthcare coverage. The bishops would have done better to oppose the entire bill that will tax middle income families into ruin, ration healthcare for all Americans and still provide for free abortion on demand for anyone who walks in the door and wants one.