Share
Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
The Catholic Bishops of Texas — including Bishop Kevin Vann of the Fort Worth Diocese — have issued a statement supporting healthcare reform but urging lawmakers to add requirements to the measure, including further restricting funding for abortions.
The bishops say they also want to ensure that "timely access" of healthcare benefits is made available for legal immigrants.The additional requirements are crucial to continued support for the reform measure from the Texas Catholic Conference, they added."Health care reform is a vital concern to us in Texas, as our state has one of the highest numbers of uninsured persons in the nation," the bishops said in the statement. "We will be a committed partner in advancing reform on this life-and-death issue; but if the final form of the legislation does not include acceptable language in these areas then we will have to oppose it vigorously."A statement from the Fort Worth Diocese indicates that Vann agrees but would not comment further.The healthcare legislation pending in Congress would not allow federal funding for abortions, but some private health insurance plans offered under the exchange system envisioned in the legislation might cover them. Officials have said they would work to restrict the use of federal subsidies for the portions of private plans that would cover abortions, but critics have urged tighter restrictions.The bishops also raised concerns that the cost structures should not impose financial burdens on low- and moderate-income individuals and families; must safeguard the health of everyone, including the poor, elderly and immigrants; and must provide an "adequate safety net" for those who remain uninsured.Catholic health facilities in Texas include 43 acute-care hospitals, eight nursing homes, and 17 organizations offering programs such as hospice, home health, assisted living and senior housing, according to the conference.DIANNA HUNT, 817-390-7084
@Nyx.CommentBody@