Healthcare Reform
Each of us has a responsibility to contribute to the common good.
Health Care is a basic human right.
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CSJ
The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet have been working in the area of healthcare for over 350 years, since our 17th century founding in France. We established the first hospital in Minnesota, St. Joseph's Hospital in St. Paul, in 1853. Since 1991, we continue to minister directly to the poor, uninsured people of our area through a network of free clinics, St. Mary's Health Clinics. But in keeping with our commitment to walk on the "two feet of social change," (direct service + advocacy for systemic change) we have also been working to change the system to make it possible for everyone in our society to have access to healthcare resources.
Since 1992, Sister Mary Heinen has been Director of Advocacy for St. Mary's Health Clinics. Her primary responsibility is to track legislation at the state and federal levels dealing directly with uninsured and underinsured people. At the present time she is closely tracking the attempts at healthcare reform. Sister Mary Heinen has been working in healthcare since 1958, as a registered nurse, an educator and in the areas of healthcare ethics and public policy. She holds a BSN from St. Catherine University, a MSN from Catholic University, and a PhD from the University of Minnesota. She recommends reading two recent articles that may help to sort out myth from fact in this debate:
From Consumer Reports:
5 Common Fears About Health Care Reform
Health reform will let faceless government bureaucrats come between you and your doctor.
Health reform will take away the good coverage from your job.
Comparing the relative effectiveness of treatments and drugs will lead to rationing.
Health reform means a government takeover of medicine as in England and Canada.
Health reform will be too costly; it will raise your taxes and could even bankrupt the country. Click here to get the facts.
From AARP:
8 Myths About Health Care Reform
Myth 1: "Health reform won't benefit people like me, who have insurance."
Myth 2: "The boomers will bankrupt Medicare."
Myth 3: "Reforming our health care system will cost us more."
Myth 4: "My access to quality health care will decline."
Myth 5: "I won't be able to visit my favorite doctor."
Myth 6: "The uninsured actually do have access to good care—in the emergency room."
Myth 7: "We can't afford to tackle this problem now."
Myth 8: "We'll end up with socialized medicine."
Click here to get the facts.
Click here to learn about some other CSJ health care ministries.
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Where does the Catholic Church stand on these issues?
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
USCCB Position on Health Care Reform
- 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
Click here to read a letter by Bishop William Murphy.
Catholic Health Association of the United States
Catholic Charities USA
Office of Social Justice
Here's a good article by Father Patrick Kennedy of Pax Christi Catholic Community in Eden Prairie, Minnesota about how Catholic Social Teachings inform the debate on health care reform.
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FFI
Here are two good articles in the August 12 issue of The Catholic Spirit, the newspaper of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis:
Sarah Criger, CEO of St. Joseph's Hospital in St. Paul, advocates for:
- access for all, with special attention for the poor and vulnerable
- an emphasis on prevention; patient-centered care throughout the lifespan
- cost-effectiveness
- transparency; quality and safety
- and sufficient and fair funding for providers
St. Joseph's Hospital was founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1853.
Read Sarah Criger's article here.
Kathy Tomlin looks around and sees mountains of fear keeping us from change.
What is the fear about?
Click here to read Kathy Tomlin's article.
Kathy Tomlin is director of the Catholic Charities Office for Social Justice. __________________________________________________________
What can you do?
1. Pray.
2. Educate yourself on these issues, and help to educate others who may be fearful or misinformed.
3.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:
- Include health care coverage for all people from conception until natural death, and continue the federal ban on funding for abortions;
- Include access for all with a special concern for the poor;
- Pursue the common good and preserve pluralism, including freedom of conscience; and
- Restrain costs and apply costs equitably among payers.
4. Eat your vegetables and go for a walk. | 