Dear Friends in Christ,

The Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs will be hailed as a pivotal point in the annals of American history. By abolishing the federal constitutional right to abortion, the Court has remanded to the people in each state the decision to choose “life or death, good or evil.” (Dt.30:15) The outcome will be significantly influenced by whether we reestablish respect for human life and dignity in the medical profession.

Over the course of my forty-year career as a Catholic physician, there have been remarkable advances in medical science and technology, advances leading to cures of once incurable illnesses and to great relief of suffering. Tragically however, over that same short period of time, the secular profession has all but abandoned the most fundamental ethical principles undergirding medical practice for two millennia: the sanctity of life, medical rights of conscience and respect for human dignity.

While Roe is certainly the most egregious example of this loss of respect for the value of human life, it is only one of many. In 1965, Griswold established a right to privacy under the Constitution. Subsequently in Casey, this illusory right morphed into the “right to define one’s own concept of existence, of meaning, of the universe, and the mystery of human life.”

This twisted “deification” of choice and personal autonomy has corrupted medical ethics and the Judeo-Christian fabric of American society.

We gratefully celebrate the end of a very dark chapter in our nation’s history, recognizing the heroism and perseverance of those who affirm the right to life from conception to natural death. Now we must acknowledge and prepare for the next chapter in this battle. As we have seen following the Dobbs decision, there has been an aggressive, relentless and often violent assault upon individuals and institutions that stand in defense of life, human dignity and medical conscience rights. This assault poses an existential threat to Catholic health care.

Going forward, it will not be enough to pass pro-life legislation in the states, as important as that is. We must also secure the rights and ability of pro-life professionals and institutions to provide affordable, accessible, high quality, life affirming care. A well-orchestrated, collaborative effort will be necessary to accomplish this and the CHCLA is actively at work with its partners to ensure not only the survival of Catholic health care, but its flourishing.

We live in the midst of a cultural revolution that presents enormous challenges as well as incredible opportunities. History is replete with examples of courageous men and women of faith upholding truth, promoting life and freedom, while restoring justice and peace amid great turmoil. This is our time! To protect our God given, inalienable rights for future generations of Americans, we must restore respect for life and human dignity in health care.

The words of Pope St. John Paul are prophetic in this regard. During a visit to the United States in 1987 he said, “Health care is a fundamental work of the Church in the United States,” which “penetrates and transforms the very fabric of American society…contributing to the formation of society’s moral vision.”

St. Paul, in his instruction to the Romans, provides sound guidance as we proceed. “Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer,” and “do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:12, 21)

Together, united as the Body of Christ, we will continue the mission to “restore all things in Christ” (Ephesians 1:10) in the ministry of health care and thus contribute to the transformation of American culture for the glory of God and the welfare of all.

Sincerely in Christ,

Steven White, M.D.

President, Catholic Health Care Leadership Alliance

Past President, Catholic Medical Association

Many of the problems in our health sector result from misguided, even if well-intentioned, laws that require doctors, hospitals, and others to follow bureaucratic dictates rather than focus primarily on the needs of patients.

Here are two initiatives currently being advanced in Washington that would put more people in policies under government control:

As part of a COVID relief package last year, Congress made the ACA’s premium tax credits more generous and lifted the income cap on eligibility for subsidies for 2021 and 2022.

The Schumer-Manchin reconciliation bill now making its way through Congress will extend the expanded and enhanced subsidies for ACA health insurance for three more years.

Healthcare analyst Doug Badger explains that smaller businesses that aren’t subject to the Affordable Care Act’s mandate to provide insurance will have strong incentives to discontinue offering coverage to their employees. More people will be forced off their current private health plans than would gain new coverage, his analysis shows.

The added subsidies also are highly regressive. Most of those benefiting are in the upper two income quintiles, many of whom drop private coverage to take advantage of the taxpayer subsidies. For example, a family with an income of $225,000 can qualify for a subsidy of $10,000 a year or more—several times the subsidy increase that households earning $55,000 receive, according to an analysis by Brian Blase, president of the Paragon Health Institute.

The taxpayer-supported ACA plans largely replace private coverage that people had before. If made permanent, employer coverage will be eroded and millions more people will fall into policies where government, not doctors and patients, makes medical decisions.

Allowing the extra subsidies to expire will not change the number of people who have health insurance. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that next year 17 million people—the same number as this year—will have individual coverage, even without the expanded subsidies.

The Biden administration also is pushing an illegal regulatory action that would pull even more people into Obamacare plans.

It’s called the “Family Glitch,” a statutory provision of the ACA that disallows dependents from signing up for Obamacare subsidies if a family member is eligible for affordable coverage at work.

In addition to lacking a basis in statute, the proposed regulation would harm many of the families it purports to help, impose new financial burdens on states, and increase the federal debt and inflation without appreciably expanding health coverage.

Expanding Obamacare is a misguided idea. The ACA has driven up health costs, reduced choices, and made it harder for sick people to get care—all while giving a blank check from taxpayers to health insurers, hospitals, and other big health care businesses.

We must get the federal government out of the business of micro-managing our health care. Government involvement is increasing costs and reducing control over health care decisions for patients and doctors.

Premiums for insurance in the individual market dominated by ACA policies have soared, with average premiums increasing from $242 to $589—a 143% increase—between 2013 and 2019. Deductibles also skyrocketed. The average annual premium plus deductible for a family of four with an ACA plan was about $25,000 in 2021. People are forced to pay more for lower quality insurance.

Subsidies push up prices and premiums, and they are a poor use of taxpayer dollars since much of the benefit accrues to higher-income people who are already insured.

Health care is too local and personal for a one-size-fits-all approach to work. We are anxious to shift our focus to proposals that will unleash the innovation and energy that are pent up in our health sector. Our goal is to return power to doctors and patients. That is our task next year and for many years to come.

This article may also be viewed here.

The CHCLA issued a press release on August 4 denouncing a proposed rule by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and encouraging citizens and organizations that rely on medical conscience rights to oppose its finalization.

If the proposed rule is finalized, this change would force hospitals, doctors, clinics, and other health care professionals to provide harmful medical interventions and to perform mutilating transgender surgeries on both adults and children against their best ethical and medical judgments.

It would redefine sex discrimination in health programs and activities funded by HHS to include sexual orientation, gender identity, and “pregnancy or related conditions,” including abortion.

Dr. Steven White, President of CHCLA, wholly denounced the proposed rule saying:

To read the press release, please click here.

The Biden administration’s proposed rule that would force doctors and hospitals to provide gender transition procedures and abortions was published on August 4 beginning the 60-day comment period during which any individual or organization can voice their objections before the rule is finalized. Public comments may be submitted through October 3, 2022.

For instructions on what to include in a public comment, click here.

You may submit your public comment on the proposed rule here. 

In a recent article with the Catholic News Agency, Dr. Steven White, president of CHCLA, referred to the proposed regulation at HHS a “terrible affront” to the rights of doctors who practice in keeping with their consciences.

Arina Grossu, former senior communications advisor in the Office for Civil Rights at HHS and consultant to CHCLA, also commented that “it is critical for individuals and organizations to express their unique voice through the public comment process while there still is time."

To read the article, please click here.

The CHCLA is hosting a webcast on August 17, 2022 at 8-9:30 p.m. ET

The Catholic Health Care Leadership Alliance (CHCLA) invites you to a Post-Roe webinar focusing on the recent Value Them Both Amendment in Kansas, the executive order regarding EMTALA permitting abortion, pregnancy resource centers and chemical abortion access, and conscience rights attacks by HHS.

To register for this free webinar, please click here.

For Individual Catholic Health Care Professionals who are practicing Catholics and are actively practicing in the field of health care, such as physicians, nurses, or other allied health care professionals..

For Individual Catholic Health Care Administrators who are practicing Catholics and are involved in administration at any health care facility or system.

For Retired Individual Catholic Health Care Professionals or Administrators who are practicing Catholics and are no longer practicing in the field of health care. It may include retired physicians, nurses, allied health care professionals, or administrators.

For Individual Catholic Health Care Students in a pre-medical program, medical school, or residency program who are practicing Catholics.

For Catholic Health Care Practice Groups of 2 to 20 employees whose practice is in compliance with the Ethical and Religious Directives and the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Catholic Health Care Organization (Contact us for additional information)

For Catholic Health Care Organizations including any individual hospital, clinic, laboratory, research group, nursing home, or other health care related entity, who agrees to comply with the Ethical and Religious Directives and the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Catholic Health Care Systems (Contact us for additional information)

For Catholic Health Care Systems including any organization comprised of multiple health care facilities who collectively agree to comply with the Ethical and Religious Directives and the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Non-Profit Organizations (Contact us for additional information)

For Non-Profit Organizations that are supportive of the mission of CHCLA and desire to partner with the work of CHCLA.

September 8-10, 2022 in Denver, Colorado

The 2022 Conference will be October 13-15, 2022 in Dallas, Texas