On November 7, the U.S. House of Representatives passed major health care reform which reaffirmed longstanding and widely supported policy that no federal funds will be used to pay for elective abortions (the Stupak Amendment). The efforts of the hundreds of thousands of grassroots supporters made a difference.

It is now critical that the Senate adopt the House-approved Stupak Amendment language that restricts federal funding for elective abortions and for plans which include elective abortions. This language, approved by the House by a large majority, ensures that Americans are not forced to pay for the destruction of unborn children as a part of needed health care reform. The Senate needs to address other essential moral priorities such as protecting conscience rights, making health care more affordable and accessible for those without coverage, and ensuring that immigrants do not lose or will not be denied needed health care coverage.

Given upcoming Senate action, the U.S. bishops have released an UPDATED Nationwide Bulletin Insert on health care reform be printed or hand-stuffed in every parish bulletin and/or distributed in pews or at church entrances as soon as possible. Senate votes may take place soon.

The bulletin insert and other information about the Catholic perspective on health care reform is available at www.usccb.org/healthcare.

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