Time Examines Catholic Bishops’ Position On Abortion, Health Reform

According to a Time column by Amy Sullivan, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops recently sent a letter to senators saying that it would “vigorously” oppose health reform, despite previously arguing that access to quality health care “is a universal human right.

Abortion Coverage Topic Of Health Reform Negotiations; Bishops Threaten Opposition

As lawmakers continue closed-door negotiations on health care reform legislation, House Democratic leaders are weighing various policy concessions, including stronger restrictions on abortion coverage, according to a leadership aide, CQ Today reports. Some antiabortion-rights Democrats have threatened to oppose the House bill (

Capps Amendment ‘Radical Departure’ From Status Quo On Funding For Abortion Coverage, AUL President Writes In Opinion Piece

“Aggressive negotiations are under way” over funding for health insurance coverage of abortion services in the various health reform proposals in Congress, Americans United for Life President and CEO Charmaine Yoest writes in a Wall Street Journal opinion piece.

Senate GOP To Reintroduce Abortion Amendments During Floor Debate On Health Reform

Senate Republicans plan to reintroduce amendments regarding abortion and other controversial issues when health care reform legislation reaches the chamber’s floor for debate, CQ Today reports. The Senate Finance Committee and the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee rejected the amendments during panel markups. Sen.

Blogs Comment On Catholics’ Support For Health Reform, Chicago ‘Bubble Zone’ Law, Other Topics

The following summarizes selected recent women’s health-related blog entries. “Survey of Catholics: Strong Support for Health Reform and Women’s Rights,” Kathleen Reeves, RH Reality Check: A recent

Blogs Comment On Oklahoma Abortion Law, New Female Condom, Other Topics

The following summarizes selected women’s health-related blog entries. “

Catholic Bishops Call For Changes In Health Care Legislation

CNN: “Senior Catholic bishops are threatening to oppose the health care bill under consideration in Congress if lawmakers don’t make significant reforms regarding federally funded abortions and other issues.

Religious Groups Speak Out On Health Reform

Several religious organizations have waded into the health reform debate, saying they feel it necessary to represent their members’ views in the legislation, Roll Call reports. For the 16-million-member Southern Baptist Convention, the main focus has been funding of abortion coverage. “We have something that’s affecting every American; we had no choice but to address it,” Richard Land, an ethics adviser with SBC, said.

Santorum Tells Antiabortion-Rights Advocates That Health Reform Would Expand Abortion Coverage

Former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.), reportedly a prospective 2012 presidential candidate, in a speech last week to Iowa Right to Life called the congressional health reform debate “ground zero” in efforts to restrict abortion rights, the Des Moines Register reports.