Dear Friends in Christ,

Merry Christmas Octave!

As we continue to celebrate with wonder and awe the memorial of the Incarnation and birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we also rejoice and give thanks for the reality of His continued presence among us and the countless blessings received throughout this year.

As I reflect upon the last year, I am particularly grateful for our CHCLA members and friends whose prayers and generous support have enabled us to accomplish far more than we could have hoped for since our launch in January.

We have established a firm foundation upon which to continue the mission of renewal in Catholic healthcare in harmony with the mind and heart of Christ, to ensure that God’s truth and love remain the bedrock of the Church’s ministry to the sick.

Now more than ever, with the victory of life over death in the Dobb’s decision, we must unite and seize this opportunity to restore a culture of life in healthcare by upholding the dignity of every human life from conception to natural death providing Christ centered care to all we are called to serve.

In the midst of the great cultural challenges we are confronted with today, a message of hope resounds in the wonderful Christmas carols we sing year after year including this stanza from one of my favorites.

God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman, let nothing you dismay,

Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas day;

To save us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray,

O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy;

O tidings of comfort and joy.

Yes, our hope is in Christ our Savior and the works His faithful will accomplish through Him, with Him, and in Him. (Jn 14:12-14)

I also find great cause for hope in the frequent reference Pope St. John Paul II made to a new springtime in the Church, a process of renewal beginning with the Incarnation and continuing throughout history which we have a responsibility to sustain by announcing the good news of Jesus Christ to the world in our time. Through the ministry of Catholic healthcare, we can actively participate in and contribute to this New Evangelization and, in the words of St. Paul, the “restoration of all things in Christ.” (Eph 1:10)

On behalf of the Board of the CHCLA, I wish you a joyous Christmas season and abundant blessings throughout the New Year. Thank you for joining us and supporting this new apostolic initiative. I ask for your continued prayers throughout the new year and please share the message of the CHCLA with others so that together we can continue to minister the healing love of Christ to the world.

Sincerely in Christ,

Steven White, M.D.

President, Catholic Health Care Leadership Alliance

Past President, Catholic Medical Association

As we are quickly approaching the end of 2022, please consider making a year-end donation to CHCLA so that we can continue the important work of protecting and promoting Christ-Centered health care.

It's been a whirlwind of a year! CHCLA has accomplished so much in this past year since our launch. Here are some of the highlights from 2022.

On January 20, 2022, CHCLA officially launched in Washington, DC with a launch event titled "A Vision for Catholic Health Care" and launched the website www.catholichealthalliance.org. CHCLA also met with Hill members and staff to discuss conscience protections in healthcare. CHCLA appeared in a profile article at the National Catholic Register titled, “With HHS Battle Looming, New Catholic Health Care Leadership Alliance Emerges.” Media coverage also included EWTN News Nightly, Catholic News Agency, Catholic News Service, and First Things.

On January 20, 2022, CHCLA also announced that Franciscan Alliance, a Catholic healthcare system that operates a 12-hospital health system in Indiana and Illinois, joined CHCLA as its first Hospital System Member. Franciscan Alliance employs over 18,000 full- and part-time employees.

On January 21, 2022, CHCLA marched for the first time as an organization in the March for Life.

Currently, CHCLA has confirmed 20 Episcopal Advisory Members including one cardinal, seven archbishops, and twelve bishops.

In February 2022, CHCLA representatives presented at the House Values Action Team, met with head staff of the Senate Values Action Team, presented at the 115 Forum, the Dallas Bishops Conference, and a Medical Conscience and Life Affirming Care Coalition.

In February 2022, CHCLA signed onto a coalition letter and published a press release opposing an extreme abortion bill that would strip the conscience rights of health care professionals.

In March 2022, CHCLA presented at a Hill conscience meeting and signed onto a coalition request to meet with HHS regarding the Section 1557 regulation.

In March 2022, CHCLA launched its monthly newsletter and set up 1-833-MY-CHCLA toll-free number.

In March 2022, the CHCLA held a board meeting and consecrated CHCLA to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

In April 2022, CHCLA participated in a meeting with HHS officials to oppose the dangers of an anticipated gender identity rule that threatens health care conscience.

In May 2022, CHCLA launched its membership options on the website including for individual Catholic health care professionals, administrators, students, health care practice groups, health care organizations, and health care systems.

In June 2022, CHCLA published an opinion editorial at the National Catholic Register titled “Catholic Healthcare is Concerned with Both Mother and Child” to push back on the narrative that Catholic healthcare is harmful to women.

In June 2022, CHCLA responded to the Dobbs decision with a press release and media outreach.

In July 2022, CHCLA Directors and Affiliates attended a retreat in Alma with the Religious Sisters of Mercy and Monsignor Shea with Consecration of CHCLA to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

In August 2022, CHCLA led the filing of an Amicus Brief in the Texas v. Becerra EMTALA case.

In September 2022, CHCLA published an op-ed on the EMTALA issue and HHS in the Federalist.

In October 2022, CHCLA filed comments against HHS’ proposed rule 1557.

In November 2022, CHCLA launched the Symposium for the Advancement of Catholic Health Care.

In November 2022, CHCLA received tax exempt status.

In December 2022, CHCLA presented at the USCCB to the Catholic Conference Directors.

The 48th annual March for Life will be held on the National Mall this year on Friday, January 20th. Please join the CHCLA in marching for the protection of all human life!

Pre-Rally Concert: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

March for Life Rally: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

March for Life: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Rose Dinner Gala: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

For more information, please visit the March for Life website.

Please let us know if you'd like to march with CHCLA by emailing [email protected].