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Health care reform and abortion: a Catholic moral perspective
1Office of the Bishop, Diocese of Camden, New Jersey 08101.
The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy
|October 1, 1994
Summary
The Catholic Church in the US operates over 600 health facilities, viewing healthcare as a human right and supporting universal coverage. However, it opposes abortion coverage due to moral objections, protecting Catholic institutions and individuals from funding such services.
Area of Science:
- Bioethics
- Public Health Policy
- Religious Studies
Background:
- The Catholic Church in the United States is a significant provider of healthcare services.
- The Church's operations encompass over 600 health facilities nationwide.
- The Church's stance on healthcare is rooted in its moral and ethical teachings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the Catholic Church's position on healthcare provision and universal coverage.
- To articulate the Church's moral objections to abortion.
- To explain the conflict between mandated abortion coverage and Catholic ethical principles.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of Catholic moral teachings on healthcare.
- Review of the Church's role in US healthcare provision.
- Examination of ethical considerations regarding abortion in national health plans.
Main Results:
- The Catholic Church supports healthcare as a fundamental human right and advocates for universal coverage.
- The Church morally opposes abortion and therefore opposes its inclusion as a covered health service.
- Mandating abortion coverage conflicts with the ethical commitments of Catholic healthcare providers and the consciences of Catholic individuals.
Conclusions:
- The Catholic Church's extensive healthcare services are guided by its moral framework.
- A balance is sought between supporting universal healthcare access and upholding moral objections to abortion.
- The Church's position highlights complex ethical challenges in national health policy debates.