Mobile Archbishop opposes health reform bill

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Mobile Archbishop Thomas Rodi and Birmingham Bishop Robert Baker released a joint statement Thursday, opposing the health care reform bill likely to come up for a vote this weekend.

They said, "We fully support the March 15, 2010 statement by Cardinal Francis George, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, opposing the current Senate health care bill. To quote his clear summary: 'The status quo in federal abortion policy, as reflected in the Hyde Amendment, excludes abortion from all health insurance plans receiving federal subsidies. In the Senate bill, there is the provision that only one of the proposed multi-state plans will not cover elective abortions – all other plans (including other multi-state plans) can do so, and receive federal tax credits This means that individuals or families in complex medical circumstances will likely be forced to choose and contribute to an insurance plan that funds abortions in order to meet their particular health needs.' "

The statement also addresses the opinions of others in the Catholic church who support the reform bill.  The bishops continued, "Despite some who maintain that the Senate bill will not provide taxpayer funding for abortions, and sadly some of these voices are within the Catholic Church, the Senate bill fails to continue the longstanding policy against federal funding of abortions and fails to respect the protections vital to an individual’s right of free conscience. Please pray that our representatives in Congress will reconsider this health care bill and join us in expressing opposition to this Senate bill as presently written."