For Immediate Release: July 25, 2017
Contact: Ashley Wilson, 202-601-7856
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to the Senate voting on the motion to proceed Sister Simone Campbell, SSS, Executive Director of NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice said:
“Advancing this anti-health, anti-life legislation is the wrong way forward. Catholic Sisters stand with our nation’s most vulnerable people. However, the Senate Republicans plan to rip away healthcare from millions in order to give tax breaks to corporations and wealthy donors. This is shameful.
“Senator McCain said that advancing this bill is the way to begin a conversation. He is wrong. The proper way to debate and discuss proposed legislation is through hearings, markups, and debate in committee first and then on the floor. Last-minute time-crunched negotiations and cliff hanger votes are not what is needed for our nation.
“I pray that the Senate will stop this foolishness and instead, focus on bipartisan fixes to the problems with the ACA rather than attempting to weaken the parts of the ACA that are working, like Medicaid expansion. NETWORK suggests they start with our Ten Commandments of Affordable Healthcare if they are looking for inspiration.
“I am so grateful for Senators Collins and Murkowski for their recognition that advancing this bill is bad for our people. I am also grateful to the 48 Democratic Senators who continue to speak out for the health of our nation.”
Read NETWORK’s 10 Commandments of Healthcare online: https://networklobby.org/tencommandmentshealthcare/
Read the Nuns’ Letter signed by 7,150 Catholic Sisters sent to the Senate in opposition to any repeal of the ACA or cut to Medicaid (includes quotes from Sisters): https://networklobby.org/news/20170724healthcare/
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NETWORK – advocates for justice inspired by Catholic sisters – educates, organizes, and lobbies for economic and social transformation. NETWORK has a more than 40-year track record of lobbying for critical federal programs that support those at the margins and prioritize the common good.