Utah’s Catholic bishop: If you’re pro-life, you’re pro-Medicaid expansion
Source: Salt Lake Tribune
In a sharply worded editorial Friday, the head of Utahs 300,000 Catholics asked why in "a state that proudly proclaims its pro-life beliefs," political leaders are "frittering away" the chance to expand Medicaid.
"Right now an opportunity to protect the dignity and sanctity of human life in Utah is being squandered by legislators who refuse to act in a morally responsible manner," the Rev. John C. Wester wrote in the Intermountain Catholic, a weekly newspaper published by the Salt Lake Diocese. "Utah cannot proclaim itself a pro-life state so long as it refuses to provide access to basic health care coverage to a significant portion of its citizens."
Wester said he was motivated to speak out after GOP legislative leaders this summer declared there would be no decision on Medicaid until 2015, well after Novembers election.
This news came despite two years of studying the matter and public opinion polls showing overwhelming support for Utah Gov. Gary Herberts private-market alternative tapping public dollars to buy private coverage for 111,000 working poor and uninsured.
Read more: http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/58094847-78/utah-medicaid-wester-health.html.csp
Shrike47
(6,913 posts)Fortinbras Armstrong
(4,473 posts)For too many people, "pro life" seems to equate to "anti-abortion" and nothing else.
rurallib
(62,344 posts)one would think that if asomeone were truly religious this issue would be a no-brainer.
Joe Bacon
(5,163 posts)Party loyalty is more important that compassion.
More proof that the Religiou$ Right in America behaves just like the Communist Party did in the Soviet Union.
jwirr
(39,215 posts)I was raised from 5th grade onwards Lutheran. They taught both Mormans and Islam as cults. And not Christian in any matter. Yet the one who taught me that voted for one and now considers him Christian. smh. Okay. Ironic. sigh
marble falls
(56,358 posts)endorsement. This is certainly the attitude members towards members.
Baitball Blogger
(46,574 posts)At some point you have to realize that the Republican agenda is anything but Christian based.
McCamy Taylor
(19,240 posts)rustbeltvoice
(427 posts)In the last few years, it has been rare (extra-ordinarily) to agree with an American Catholic bishop on a controversy. Yes, he is stating the necessary consistency of a truly pro-life position.
It also reflects the hypocrisy and self contradictions of the Republican party. "Pro-life" only means anti-abortion to many; and naive, idiot, and pharisaic Catholics have used it as a tool to support the Republican party, which makes bank on it. As much as people argue and fight, the 1973 Wade v. Roe decision has been standard. Pro-life includes many things. To fight relentlessly on a virtually settled issue, and negate and ignore all else, is folly.
VA_Jill
(9,852 posts)You can't call yourself "pro-life" unless it extends to programs that help children (and others) AFTER they are born.
ForgoTheConsequence
(4,846 posts)Just like they'll support war and the death penalty and still call themselves "pro-life", they have no shame.
Like George Carlin said:
"If you're pre-born, you're ok. If you're pre-schooled, you're fucked"
LoisB
(7,072 posts)Populist_Prole
(5,364 posts)Finally seeing religion as a wedge issue used against republicans.
Hell, that's like a "man bites dog" type headline.
yellowcanine
(35,692 posts)They bray about Catholic Democratic politicians on abortion, etc. Let's see how the do when the shoe is on the other foot.
Rstrstx
(1,393 posts)There are a lot more Catholics here, yet the silence is deafening from the church here about such issues. This is a place where it could actually make a difference.
area51
(11,868 posts)you'll be in favor of single-payer, which could save so many lives.