Health care Reform is one of the most important legislative reforms of our times.
 
Please join the dialogue!

August 13, 2009 - U.S. Senators and Representatives will be in their home states and districts until September 7. Their main focus during this Congressional recess is health care legislation. At this point there are still several bills and amendments. When Congress returns to Washington in September they will work out final bills that will come to the floor for debate.

We have one month to raise our voices, remembering the legacy of Catherine McAuley and the thousands of Sisters of Mercy who have ministered to the sick, regardless of their economic status. Forty-seven million people are without health care insurance in the wealthiest country in history. This is an opportunity to remind our legislators that health care is a basic human right. Reports indicate that for every call a legislator receives in favor of health care reform, three other calls urge opposition to any reforms.

It is essential that Congress hear our calls for reform and for adequate health care for all.

Now Is the Time to Raise Our Voices!

Suggested Actions:

1. Join President Obama on a nationwide phone call with the Sisters of Mercy and other religious organizations on Wednesday, August 19 at 5 p.m. Eastern / 4 p.m. Central / 3 p.m. Mountain / 2 p.m. Pacific. The goal of the call is to connect and energize the millions of people of faith across the country who are concerned about health care and who want to be part of the solution. To participate, dial 347-996-5501 (no passcode, long-distance charges may apply) or log on to faithforhealth.org at the time of the call.

2. Attend a Town Meeting in your district and find out where your legislator stands on health care reform. Elevate your voice and participate in the discussion.

3. Call the local offices of your legislators. Use the Talking Points below and add your own stories or experiences.

4. Send a letter to your legislators from the Institute website, and add your own comments. Letter on health care and Catholic values: http://capwiz.com/sistersofmercy/issues/alert/?alertid=13749051  

5. Do all of the above!

Talking Points/Principles:

1. Health care is a basic human right and should be available to all persons when they need it.

2. Health care insurance should be available and affordable to every person. No one, including the poor and vulnerable, should be denied care.

3. Our U.S. health care system should be patient-centered, encourage good health practices, and address health needs at all stages of life from conception to natural death.

4. Our U.S. health care system should be fairly and adequately financed to promote the Common Good and not just special interests.

5. Add your own comments. Stories from your own experience and/or ministry are effective.

These Talking Points are based on Catholic Social Teaching, and on our heritage and practice as Sisters of Mercy.

There are many rumors and false claims about health care bills circulating through media. The following sources will provide you with reliable information:

• NETWORK www.networklobby.org
• Catholic Health Association www.chausa.org
• Annenberg Political Fact Check www.factcheck.org
  http://www.factcheck.org/2009/07/false-euthanasia-claims/
• Kaiser Family Foundation http://healthreform.kff.org/

Affordable and accessible health care is an essential safeguard of human life and a fundamental human right.
-Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, U.S. Catholic Bishops 2007