Q. What does the Catholic Church teach about health care?
A. The Catholic Church has long approached health care from a simple, basic principle: "Every person has a right to adequate health care. This right flows from the sanctity of human life and the dignity that belongs to all human persons, who are made in the image of God." Without access to quality, affordable health care, individuals do not have the basic foundation from which to flourish and reach their full potential."1
In the 1963 papal encyclical Pacem in Terris where Pope John XVIII asserted that each individual has the right to "the means necessary for the proper development of life, particularly food, clothing, shelter, medical care, rest and finally, the necessary social services. In consequence, he has the right to be looked after in the event of ill health...or whenever through no fault of his own he is deprived the means of livelihood."
These commitments reinforce the reality that a health care system which leaves tens of millions uninsured, denies coverage to those most in need, and leaves individuals who fall through the cracks to fend for themselves is fundamentally unjust.
Q. Should Catholics support the public option?
A. As Catholics, we are committed both to passing comprehensive reform, and ensuring that such reform are enacted in a just, equitable way. Right now, the burdens of our broken system fall disproportionately on the poor, those already struggling to make ends meet. Any reforms of the health system should pay particular attention to the impact they would have on the poor; true reform should make health care easily accessible and affordable to this vulnerable groups.
As such, Catholic teaching has long supported and welcomed the actions of government in meeting the needs of its citizens, particularly those who are left behind in the workings of the free market, those deemed expendable or unprofitable. As Pope Benedict re-affirmed in his recent encyclical Caritas in Veritate, "economic activity cannot solve all social problems through the simple application of commercial logic. This needs to be directed towards the pursuit of the common good, for which the political community in particular must also take responsibility." Particularly when it comes to health care, where the consequences of market decisions are literally a matter of life and death, governments should take all appropriate action to ensure that no individuals go without the security and care of health insurance.
A non-profit, public option that provides individuals with an affordable choice of insurance and promotes long-term cost-cutting is one method of achieving the broader goals of universal access and affordability in our health care system.
Q. What can I do to support health care reform?
A. As health care legislation moves towards final votes in both houses of Congress, our representatives and senators are carefully weighing their decision. Ideological opponents of reform and industry lobbyists who profit off of the status quo are busy spreading misleading information and downplaying the majority of Americans calling for reform.
The most important thing you can do is contact your elected officials and remind them that you want them to allow the debate to continue so we can continue to work for meaningful, comprehensive health reform.
1http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/national/comphealth.shtml
