Thirteen Religious Organizations Call on Senate to Reject Stupak Language

Calling universal access to high quality comprehensive health care services "a social and moral obligation," 13 religious organizations sent a letter to members of the Senate calling on them to maintain current language in the Senate bill and to vote against efforts to amend the bill with Stupak language.

"The undersigned religious and religiously affiliated organizations urge the Senate to support comprehensive, quality health care reform that maintains the current Senate language on abortion services," states the letter..

We believe that it is our social and moral obligation to ensure access to high quality comprehensive health care services at every stage in an individual’s life. Reforming the health care system in a way that guarantees affordable and accessible care for all is not simply a good idea—it is necessary for the well-being of all people in our nation.

"The passage of meaningful health reform legislation will make significant strides toward accomplishing the important goal of access to health care for all," the letter continues.

The letter also underscores the principles of religious neutrality in a pluraslistic society and the need to serve the public good over ideology.

Unfortunately, the House-passed version of health reform includes language that imposes significant new restrictions on access to abortion services. This provision would result in women losing health coverage they currently have, an unfortunate contradiction to the basic guiding principle of health care reform, which.   Providing affordable, accessible health care to all Americans is a moral imperative that unites Americans of many faith traditions.   The selective withdrawal of critical health coverage from women is both a violation of this imperative and a betrayal of the public good.

The use of this legislation to advance new restrictions on abortion services that surpass those in current law will serve only to derail this important bill.  The Senate bill is already abortion neutral, an appropriate reflection of the fact that it is intended to serve Americans of many diverse religious and moral views.   The bill includes compromise language that maintains current law, prohibiting federal funds from being used to pay for abortion services, while still allowing women the option to use their own private funds to pay for abortion care.  American families should have the opportunity to choose health coverage that reflects their own values and medical needs, a principle that should not be sacrificed in service of any political agenda.

"We urge the Senate to support meaningful health reform that maintains the compromise language on abortion services currently in the bill," states the letter in closing. 

It is signed by the following organizations: Catholics for Choice

Disciples Justice Action Center

The Episcopal Church

Jewish Women International

NA’AMAT USA

National Council of Jewish Women

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Washington Office

Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice

The Religious Institute

Union of Reform Judaism

United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries

United Methodist Church-General Board of Church and Society

Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations

 

 

 

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