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Health reform
MCC outlines Church teaching on principles
by Robert Delaney of The Michigan Catholic
Published March 5, 2010
DETROIT — With the national health-care debate perhaps entering a new phase, the Michigan Catholic Conference has published a restatement of Church teaching on the principles that should guide public policy.
The March issue of its Focus publication is devoted to the issue, with essays on "Health Care as a Basic Human Right" and "Health Care as Ministry," as well as a review of the guidelines and criteria for health-care reform and quotations from relevant Church documents.
A copy of the publication was sent last week to all 790 Catholic parishes in Michigan, and additional copies are available free of charge, said Dave Maluchnik, director of communications for the Lansing-based MCC, the public policy voice of all seven Michigan dioceses.
The text of the publication can also be accessed over the Internet, by going to www.micatholicconference.org, and clicking on Focus: "Health Care as a Basic Human Right."
"From what we're hearing from the national conference (the Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops), they're pretty much back to square one," Maluchnik said.
Although both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have passed health-care reform bills, there are major differences in the two versions, including the issue of abortion funding.
The House bill, which passed with a very narrow margin, includes the anti-abortion Stupak amendment, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Menominee.
"Congressman Stupak says he has 20 votes who won't go along with (a revised bill) if it doesn't include a ban on abortion funding," Maluchnik said.
In setting forth the criteria for reform, the Focus issue lists them as:
- "Respect for life," making the point that any legislation must affirm and respect the sanctity and dignity of human life, and preserve the prohibition on federal funding for abortion.
- "Priority concern for the poor," calling for giving special priority to meeting the most pressing health-care needs of the poor and underserved.
- "Access for all," saying quality, comprehensive and affordable care should be accessible to every person.
- "Comprehensive benefits," calling for benefits that would encompass preventive, restorative and palliative care.
- "Pluralism," making the point that reform should encourage involvement of both the public and private sectors, with respect for religious and ethical values.
- "Quality," a call for both high standards and equity in health services, as well as the informed participation in decision-making by individuals and families.
- "Cost controls," noting the need for effective measures to reduce waste, inefficiency and unnecessary treatment.
- "Equitable financing," making the point that reform should assure access to all persons on an ability to pay basis.
The Church's long-standing support for health care as a human right, going back at least 90 years, is noted, as is the support given to the position by Pope John XXIII's encyclical, "Pacem in Terris."
The Church's own healing ministry has its roots in some of the miracles performed by Christ during His earthly ministry, and has figured prominently throughout its history.
Today, there are 26 Catholic hospitals in Michigan, and a total of 624 throughout the country, and one out of six patients is cared for in a Catholic hospital.
Last year, America's Catholic hospitals experienced 16.9 million emergency room visits, more than 92.7 million outpatient visits, and 5.5 million admissions, according to USCCB figures.
More than 4.7 million people in Michigan were served by Catholic hospitals during 2008, the last year for which figures are available.
"With such a large footprint in the nation's health care system, the Catholic Church and her institutions witness on a daily basis the fundamental problems facing health care delivery," the publication states.
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