To anyone who has been paying attention these days, it is clear that the issue of health care reform has become a major focus of attention in our country. Sadly, as so often happens with important issues facing us, the debate over health care reform has become immersed somewhat in the ugliness that accompanies political debate.

As the citizens and political leaders of our country consider a direction forward with regard to health care reform, we must find a way to rise above the rhetoric of “politics as usual” for the sake of the common good. For the Church, health care reform is not just another political issue to be debated. Rather, it is a fundamental issue of human life and dignity.

There is little if any doubt about the need for genuine life-affirming reform to our nation's healthcare system. There are far too many people, especially the poor, who have little or no access to quality and affordable health care. We need to work together as citizens and as disciples of Christ to achieve health care reform that is accessible, affordable and delivers quality health care, while protecting and respecting the life and dignity of all people from conception until natural death.

Whatever health care reform is ultimately achieved, it must include comprehensive health care that covers all, including the weakest and most vulnerable members of our society. While the Church strongly supports the efforts at health care reform, we must also insist that any reform that is achieved excludes abortion coverage or any other provisions that threaten the sanctity of human life.

In order to achieve fair and just healthcare reform, therefore, one of the criteria must be a truly universal health policy that respects human life and the dignity of the human person. We must guard against any attacks on the life and dignity of those who are most exposed and vulnerable in our society. This includes especially the unborn child, the disabled and the elderly. No one's life should be considered expendable or less valuable or worthy than another's.

Another potential danger that must be guarded against as healthcare reform moves forward is the threat to the freedom of conscience for physicians and other health care workers. No doctor, nurse or other health care professional should ever be forced to partake in a procedure that violates their conscience, especially as it concerns the destruction of innocent human life. Health care institutions must not be punished through the loss of funding if they choose not to perform procedures such as abortion and other threats to human life.

A very important part of the healthcare reform that is needed is a controlling of the costs associated with obtaining decent medical care in our country today. Decent health care must be made available for all in a way that is affordable.

The poorest and most vulnerable in our society must be given special consideration.

Health care is not a privilege, but a right and a requirement to protect the life and dignity of every person. All people need and should have access to comprehensive, quality health care that they can afford. We have a responsibility to ensure that no one is left behind without the ability to obtain decent health care.

Health care has always been a critical component of the Catholic Church's life and ministry. We bring both strong convictions in this area and our everyday experience to the healthcare debate. I encourage all who read this to pay very close attention to this important debate, rise above the political rhetoric and support healthcare reform that meets the very important criteria outlined above.

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