Undercutting the Bishops

The American Catholic bishops sent a bulletin to parishes this weekend, urging Catholics to oppose the abortion funding provisions in the current version of the health-care.

Unfortunately, Sister Carol Keehan, president of the Catholic Health Association, promptly endorsed the current bill: “As I watched our president present his plan to pass the health reform legislation, it was clear this is an historic opportunity to make great improvements in the lives of so many Americans.”

Even if she thought the Senate version of the bill doesn’t actually fund abortions—a dubious proposition—she would have to admit that Stupak’s amendment is an improvement. For what possible reason would she undercut the bishops—who generally favor major health-care reform—and the efforts of Stupak at this point in the process?