USCCB on the Affordable Care Act

The USCCB has issued a very clear and reasonable response to yesterday’s decision by the Supreme Court to uphold the Affordable Care Act as a tax. The Bishops reminded us that, while they have for many years been advocates of health care reform, they opposed the ACA’s final passage because of its “fundamental flaws.” Specifically:

First, ACA allows use of federal funds to pay for elective abortions and for plans that cover such abortions, contradicting longstanding federal policy. [ . . . ]

Second, the Act fails to include necessary language to provide essential conscience protection, both within and beyond the abortion context. [ . . . ]

Third, ACA fails to treat immigrant workers and their families fairly.

The Conference went on to say that, since the ACA’s enactment, it “has not joined in the efforts to repeal the law in its entirety.” Rather, they concentrate their efforts on urging Congress and the Administration to fix the flaws and make the ACA truly life-affirming.