title: Health care reform and abortion: a Catholic moral perspective.
abstract: The Catholic Church in the United States provides extensive health care service through its more than 600 health facilities. The Church, on the basis of its moral teaching, sees health care as a basic human right and supports universal coverage. At the same time, the Church considers abortion morally wrong and opposes coverage of abortion as a health service in a national health plan. Mandated coverage of abortion would violate the moral commitments of Catholic hospitals and the consciences of Catholics who would be required to financially support provision of abortion services.
authors: Office of the Bishop, Diocese of Camden, New Jersey 08101.
authors: J T
authors: JT
authors: McHugh
mesh_terms: D000029:Abortion, Legal; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002410:Catholicism; D028601:Euthanasia, Active; D035082:Federal Government; D005260:Female; D018166:Health Care Reform / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D009014:Morals; D011247:Pregnancy; D012935:Social Justice; D012945:Social Values; D014481:United States; D026712:Value of Life; D035862:Vulnerable Populations