In a detailed analysis of Catholic principles applied to the field of health care, Kansas City prelates, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann and Bishop Robert W. Finn. warn against loss of responsibility, higher costs and reduction of personalized care. The bishops' joint pastoral statement warns not only against an expansion of abortion or mandatory end-of-life counseling, but also the dangers of "excessive centralization" and "government socialization" of medicine, NCR Online reports.
"Experts say that the critique goes beyond pronouncements offered by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, or by other American prelates, which typically have called for preserving 'pluralism' in health care but otherwise seem neutral, or even favorably inclined, to new government initiatives," NCR commentator John L. Allen, Jr says.
"Any health care reform package must keep intact our current public polices protecting taxpayers from being coerced to fund abortions," the bishops' statement says.
"Given the penchant of our courts over the past thirty-five years to claim unarticulated rights in our Constitution, the explicit exclusion of so-called ‘abortion services' from coverage is essential."
The bishop also warn that "health care reform legislation must clearly articulate the rights of conscience for individuals and institutions," warning that otherwise Catholic health care in America could be jeopardized.
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