WASHINGTON—In
response to last night’s Senate vote on the “skinny repeal” bill, Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, Florida, Chairman of the
U.S. Bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, has issued
the following statement:

“Despite the
Senate’s decision not to pass legislation to repeal and replace the Affordable
Care Act last night, the task of reforming the healthcare system still remains.
The current healthcare system is not financially sustainable, lacks full Hyde
protections and conscience rights, and is inaccessible to many
immigrants. Inaction will result in harm for too many people.

A
moment has opened for Congress, and indeed all Americans, to set aside party
and personal political interest and pursue the common good of our nation and
its people, especially the most vulnerable. In order to be just, any bill for
consideration must:

Protect the Medicaid program from changes that would
harm millions of struggling Americans.

Protect the safety net from any other changes that harm
the poor, immigrants, or any others at the margins.

Address the real probability of collapsing insurance
markets and the corresponding loss of genuine affordability for those with
limited means.

Provide full Hyde Amendment provisions and much-needed
conscience protections.

Any
final agreement that respects human life and dignity, honors conscience rights,
and ensures that everyone can access health care that is comprehensive, high
quality, and truly affordable deserves the support of all of us.

The
greatness of our country is not measured by the well-being of the powerful but
how we have cared for the ‘least of these.’ Congress can and should
pass health care legislation that lives up to that greatness.”

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Keywords:
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, USCCB, Bishop Frank J. Dewane, Committee on Domestic Justice and
Human Development,
“skinny repeal” bill, Hyde Amendment, safety net, Medicaid, poor, immigrants,
conscience rights, access, affordability, common good.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Judy Keane
202-541-3200

Source:: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops