Catholics put a human face on broken system; Urge Congress to Pass Legislation during October 20 National Day of Action for Health Care Reform on Capitol Hill

Health care reform legislation is not simply a political issue, it’s a matter of life and death for millions of Americans. This is the clear message in hundreds of stories that Catholics in Alliance has received from people across the country as part of a comprehensive awareness campaign: Voices for Health Reform www.voicesforhealthreform.org.  Catholics in Alliance delivered these stories in meetings with political leaders on Capitol Hill during an October 20 National Day of Action for Health Care Reform.

Catholics in Alliance is launching the campaign to call attention to the moral urgency of reform and put a human face on a broken health-care system.

“These tragic stories serve as a powerful reminder to our political leaders: delaying or working to defeat health-care reform has a profound moral cost and is an affront to human dignity,” said John Gehring, Media Director and Senior Writer for Catholics in Alliance. “Being pro-life also means ensuring all Americans have access to affordable, quality health care.”

On October 20, as part of a National Day of Action for Health Care Reform, Catholics in Alliance and Catholics United, together with Fr. Joseph Schad SJ, a hospital chaplain from Portland, Maine, personally delivered these stories to Members of Congress, including Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and staff from the Office of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). The Alliance will continue to incorporate these stories into a broader faith-based advocacy effort that will also include the testimony of faith leaders committed to health care reform.

Here are just a few snippets from the online campaign, which features an interactive map of stories:

Susan in Michigan told us about her sister whose Stage IV breast cancer went undiagnosed because she was afraid to go to the doctor without health Insurance.  Cynthia in California told us about her daughter, husband, and three-year-old grandson who rely on routine medical care from the emergency room because they have no insurance.  Sr. Sarah, a social worker in Pennsylvania, told us about families that are asked to leave the hospital because they can't afford the care they deserve.

The interactive map at www.voicesforhealthreform.org allows visitors to submit their own personal stories and share with their friends and family.

“We can’t walk away from this historic opportunity to help millions of families facing life and death situations,” said Victoria Kovari, Interim Director for Catholics in Alliance. “These stories remind us of what’s at stake. Turning our back on them is immoral and unacceptable.”

Voices for Health Reform coincides with several efforts by Catholics in Alliance to promote affordable and accessible health care for all. In August, the Alliance joined the interfaith “40 Days for Health Campaign” and co-hosted a national conference call with President Obama that drew over 140,000 people.