WASHINGTON—In
light of today’s Senate Republican vote to address the healthcare law, Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, Florida, Chairman of the
U.S. Bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, is appealing
to Senators on both sides to work together in the days ahead to advance changes
that will serve the common good of all.

Bishop Dewane’s full statement follows:

“In the wake of a procedural vote
today that opens debate on the amendment process to reform the Affordable Care
Act, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) calls on members
from both political parties to work together to advance changes that serve the
common good. The health care reform proposals currently under
consideration would harm millions of struggling Americans by leaving too many
at risk of losing adequate health coverage and continue to exclude too many
people, including immigrants. We are grateful for the efforts to include
protections for the unborn, however, any final bill must include full Hyde
Amendment provisions and add much-needed conscience protections. The
current proposals are simply unacceptable as written, and any attempts to
repeal the ACA without a concurrent replacement is also unacceptable.

As was made clear in the USCCB’s letter of
July 20, there is much work to be done to remedy the ACA’s
shortcomings. We call on the Senate to make changes in all of the areas
mentioned above. In addition, current and impending barriers to access
and affordability under the ACA must be removed, particularly for those most in
need. Such changes can be made with narrower reforms that do not jeopardize the
access to health care that millions currently receive.”

Link to July 20 letter: https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/health-care/letter-to-senate-on-affortable-care-act-2017-07-20.cfm

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Keywords:
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, USCCB, Bishop Frank J. Dewane, Committee on Domestic Justice and
Human Development,
Affordable Care Act (ACA), Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA), procedural
vote, Hyde Amendment, conscience rights, access, affordability, common good.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Judy Keane
202-541-3200

Source:: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops