For Immediate Release: October 22, 2025
WASHINGTON, DC—More than 2,600 Catholic Sisters and Associates of their communities from around the country sent a joint faith letter today calling on Congress to make the “moral choice” and immediately pass a Continuing Resolution (CR) that protects Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits. NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice delivered the letter on October 22 to Members of Congress on Capitol Hill.
“Our Catholic tradition affirms that health care is not a privilege reserved for the wealthy, but a basic human right for all people. We write today as women religious and Associates who urge you to put people before politics,” said the letter, addressed to the leadership of both chambers and sent to every member of Congress.
The letter details how ACA tax credits make it possible for 24 million people in the U.S. to pay for health care and that, if Congress allows the credits to expire, 4.8 million people will lose coverage in 2026, with millions more paying significantly higher prices. Catholic Sisters and Associates have a long tradition of serving as social workers, teachers, healthcare professionals, and in other community-based ministries, and witness first-hand the difference that affordable health care makes.
“Every day, we see how programs like the ACA and Medicaid allow families across the U.S. to get and stay healthy, see the doctor, and afford eyeglasses for their kids. We know the ACA premium tax credits work. We see how they make our communities healthier, more stable, and more vibrant.”
“Already, consumers are receiving notices from insurance companies warning of significant cost increases. This will force many in our communities to make brutal choices between paying for health care, rent, and food for their families,” the Sisters and Associates wrote.
Founded by Catholic Sisters in 1971, NETWORK is an inclusive, national, Catholic advocacy organization open to all who share our values, working for justice and equity for everyone. For 53 years, NETWORK has educated, organized, and lobbied for federal policies that serve the common good and honor the dignity of all people.
FULL TEXT of the letter is below.
SPANISH VERSION follows:
Para publicación inmediata: 22 de octubre del 2025
Hermanas y Asociadas piden al Congreso que protejan urgentemente a personas que corren el riesgo de perder la atención médica
WASHINGTON, DC— Más de 2600 Hermanas Católicas y Asociadas de sus comunidades de todo el país enviaron hoy una carta conjunta instando al Congreso a tomar la “decisión moral” y aprobar de inmediato una Resolución Continua que proteja los créditos fiscales para las primas de la Ley de Cuidado de Salud Asequible (ACA). NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice entregó la carta el 22 de octubre a los miembros del Congreso en el capital del pais.
“Nuestra tradición católica afirma que la atención médica no es un privilegio reservado para los ricos, sino un derecho humano fundamental para todas las personas. Les escribimos hoy como religiosas y asociadas, instándoles a priorizar a las personas por encima de la política”, decía la carta, dirigida a los líderes de ambas cámaras y enviada a todos los miembros del Congreso.
La carta detalla cómo los créditos fiscales de ACA permiten que 24 millones de personas en EE. UU. paguen la atención médica y que, si el Congreso permite que expiren, 4.8 millones de personas perderán su cobertura en 2026, y millones más pagarán precios significativamente más altos. Las Hermanas Católicas y Asociadas tienen una larga tradición de servicio como trabajadoras sociales, maestras, profesionales de la salud y en otros ministerios comunitarios, y son testigos directos de la diferencia que marca una atención médica asequible.
“Todos los días, vemos cómo programas como la ACA y Medicaid permiten a familias en todo EE. UU. mantenerse saludables, consultar al médico y comprar anteojos para sus hijos. Sabemos que los créditos fiscales para las primas de la ACA funcionan. Vemos cómo hacen que nuestras comunidades sean más saludables, estables y vibrantes”.
“Los consumidores ya están recibiendo avisos de las compañías de seguros advirtiendo sobre aumentos significativos de costos. Esto obligará a muchos en nuestras comunidades a tomar decisiones drásticas entre pagar por la atención médica, el alquiler y la comida de sus familias”, escribieron las Hermanas y Asociados.
Fundada por Hermanas Católicas en 1971, NETWORK es una organización católica inclusiva y nacional de defensa de derechos, abierta a todos los que comparten nuestros valores, que trabaja por la justicia y la equidad para todos. Durante 53 años, NETWORK ha educado, organizado y presionado a favor de políticas federales que sirven al bien común y honran la dignidad de todas las personas.
FULL TEXT of the letter follows:
To: Senators and Representatives
From: 2600 Sisters and Associates
Dear Leader John Thune, Minority Leader Charles Schumer, Speaker Mike Johnson, and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries,
Earlier this summer, Catholic Sisters and Associates from more than 50 congregations gathered on Capitol Hill urging the Senate to reject steep cuts to Medicaid in the budget reconciliation bill. We were deeply disappointed when it passed, knowing through first-hand experience, that people across the U.S. were already struggling with skyrocketing medical bills–and many were one health crisis away from bankruptcy. We reach out once again to call on Senators to make the well-being of constituents your first priority by passing a bipartisan continuing resolution (CR) that protects Affordable Care Act premium tax credits.
The ACA premium tax credits make it possible for 24 million people to pay for life-saving health care. Data indicates that if Congress allows the credits to expire, 4.8 million people will lose coverage in 2026 and millions more will pay significantly higher prices. When the cost of premiums rise, more people become uninsured or under-insured, the health of our communities worsens, and premium prices increase even more. Already, consumers are receiving notices from insurance companies warning of significant cost increases. This will force many in our communities to make brutal choices between paying for health care, rent, and food for their families.
As Catholic Sisters and Associates, we have a long tradition of serving as social workers, teachers, healthcare professionals, and in other community-based ministries. Every day, we see how programs like the ACA and Medicaid allow families across the U.S. to get and stay healthy, see the doctor, and afford eyeglasses for their kids. We know the ACA premium tax credits work. We see how they make our communities healthier, more stable, and more vibrant.
The Catholic tradition affirms that health care is not a privilege reserved for the wealthy, but a basic human right for all people. We write today as women religious and associates who urge you to put people before politics and pass a bipartisan continuing resolution that protects Affordable Care Act premium tax credits. As Senators you have both responsibility and opportunity to make a moral choice that saves the lives of your constituents. All of us deserve the freedom to have quality, affordable health care–no exceptions.
CC: All Members of the U.S. Senate and House
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