By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), the son of the late Senator Edward Kennedy, is accusing the Catholic Church of fanning “the flames of dissent and discord” by stating its opposition to health care reform unless it is amended to explicitly prohibit abortion funding.
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
Even with a 60-vote majority in the Senate, Democrats failed to pass the $247 billion “Doc Fix” yesterday, raising questions about just how possible it will be to pass larger and more contentious health care reform in the future.
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
Spokespersons for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) are taking on the White House for its consistently misleading claims about abortion coverage in health care reform, and are expressing their disappointment that the Senate Finance Committee passed a bill that contains many problematic provisions.
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
Now that the Senate Finance Committee version of health care reform has passed, the real work of trying to craft a bill will begin.
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
Some of the nation’s largest multiracial, multiethnic, and multigenerational faith-based and policy organizations, representing more than 30 million people, went on record to voice opposition to any healthcare bill that funds abortion, violates conscience, rations care, or limits freedom.
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
A spokesman for one of the nation’s largest pro-life groups warns that recent remarks by the White House press secretary on October 7 indicate that the government is still trying to “smuggle” federally funded abortion into health care reform.
by Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
Americans concerned about the way the government is handling the current health care reform debate were disappointed to learn that in an attempt to bolster support for the controversial bills, the White House “doctored” yesterday’s Rose Garden event where 150 doctors were given white coats to wear in order to make the scene look more convincing to the public.
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
The U.S. Conference of Catholic bishops have sent a letter to each member of the U.S. Senate urging them to support a “fair and just health care reform bill” that excludes mandated coverage for abortion, and upholds longstanding laws that protect conscience rights.
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
The late Sen. Edward Kennedy’s longtime confidant, Paul Kirk, has been named as Kennedy’s interim replacement until a special election scheduled for January, 2010.
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
Democratic lawmakers on the Senate Finance Committee voted down an amendment proposed by Republicans that would require a 72 hour waiting period and a full cost estimate to be done before allowing a final committee vote on the health care reform bill.
