Catholic Health Care Conference
08/13/2008 01:59 PM
Faithfully Facing our
Future: Challenges and Choices for Catholic Health
Care in North Dakota
North Dakota’s Catholic Health Care providers will gather for their annual conference on October, 14, 2008 in Bismarck.
This year’s conference will focus on how to preserve mission and make ethically-based choices in an increasingly difficult financial environment. Guest speakers include:
Carl Middleton
Vice President, Theology and Ethics
Catholic Health Initiatives
Lynette Dickson
Project Director for the State Office of Rural Health (SORH) Grant Program at the Center for Rural Health at the University of North Dakota (UND)
The conference is open to the public.
For registration information, call 1-800-419-1237 or contact the North Dakota Catholic Conference.
North Dakota’s Catholic Health Care providers will gather for their annual conference on October, 14, 2008 in Bismarck.
This year’s conference will focus on how to preserve mission and make ethically-based choices in an increasingly difficult financial environment. Guest speakers include:
Carl Middleton
Vice President, Theology and Ethics
Catholic Health Initiatives
Lynette Dickson
Project Director for the State Office of Rural Health (SORH) Grant Program at the Center for Rural Health at the University of North Dakota (UND)
The conference is open to the public.
For registration information, call 1-800-419-1237 or contact the North Dakota Catholic Conference.
Senate Approves Medicare Bill
07/11/2008 07:46 AM
A veto-proof
majority voted July 9 to approve the House-passed
Medicare physician payment fix, with 18 Republicans
joining all Democrats to approve the bill two weeks
after it initially failed to gain cloture. Although
the White House expressed continuing opposition to
the bill following the vote, the 69-30 tally
indicates the potential support to override a veto,
as did the 359-55 earlier vote in the House. The
Catholic Health Association and others supported
efforts to prevent the physician payment cuts and
improve access and coverage for low-income Medicare
beneficiaries.
Senate Vote Falls Short on House Approved Medicare Package
06/28/2008 09:28 AM
News
from the Catholic Health Association on legislation
that would help North Dakota’s hospitals:
The Senate cloture vote that would have led to passage of the House approved Medicare bill (HR 6331) failed, 58-40, falling short of the 60 votes required. Senate Majority Leader Reid only allowed a floor vote on the House approved Medicare bill and did not bring the tentative Medicare compromise worked out earlier in the week between Senator Max Baucus, D-MT, and Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, to the floor for a vote. Senate Democratic leadership believed that with the overwhelming veto proof vote in the House, the Senate would be able to muster the 60 votes.
The House voted earlier this week 355-59 to approve the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act, H.R. 6331, that would block a July 1 physician payment cut, strengthens low-income beneficiary protections, and includes a number of hospital provisions. The bill would freeze physician payments for 2008 and provide a 1.1% increase for physicians in 2009. Similar to the legislation sponsored by Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT), the bill also would extend the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility grant program; provide rebasing for sole community hospitals; extend and expand the outpatient hold-harmless provision for small rural and sole community hospitals; and extend Section 508 reclassification. In addition, the House bill would delay for 18 months the competitive bidding program for Durable Medical Equipment (DMEPOS).
With the cuts to physician rates now scheduled to go through, Congress will have the option of returning after the recess and passing a retroactive bill that will restore payment rates and make up for the cuts. That will likely create an administrative headache, however, and had long been seen as an undesirable outcome.
The Senate cloture vote that would have led to passage of the House approved Medicare bill (HR 6331) failed, 58-40, falling short of the 60 votes required. Senate Majority Leader Reid only allowed a floor vote on the House approved Medicare bill and did not bring the tentative Medicare compromise worked out earlier in the week between Senator Max Baucus, D-MT, and Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, to the floor for a vote. Senate Democratic leadership believed that with the overwhelming veto proof vote in the House, the Senate would be able to muster the 60 votes.
The House voted earlier this week 355-59 to approve the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act, H.R. 6331, that would block a July 1 physician payment cut, strengthens low-income beneficiary protections, and includes a number of hospital provisions. The bill would freeze physician payments for 2008 and provide a 1.1% increase for physicians in 2009. Similar to the legislation sponsored by Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT), the bill also would extend the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility grant program; provide rebasing for sole community hospitals; extend and expand the outpatient hold-harmless provision for small rural and sole community hospitals; and extend Section 508 reclassification. In addition, the House bill would delay for 18 months the competitive bidding program for Durable Medical Equipment (DMEPOS).
With the cuts to physician rates now scheduled to go through, Congress will have the option of returning after the recess and passing a retroactive bill that will restore payment rates and make up for the cuts. That will likely create an administrative headache, however, and had long been seen as an undesirable outcome.
SCHIP Expansion Approved
06/09/2008 01:28 PM
The North Dakota
Catholic Conference was among those who supported a
plan in the 2007 session to expand eligibility in the
state children’s health insurance program from
140% of the poverty level to 150%. This proposal,
however, hit a federal rule snag and did not go into
effect. This week, the Department of Human
Services received approval from the Center
for Medicare and Medicaid Services
to increase the
eligibility level.
Health Care Directive Workshop
05/15/2008 11:01 AM
The
North Dakota Catholic Conference conducts workshops
on completing the Catholic Health Care
Directive. A pdf version of the
workshop slides is now
available.
New Column
04/23/2008 08:08 AM
New column
posted on
the new health care directives, Faithful
Citizenship, and upcoming health care
conference.
New Health Care Directives and Website
04/09/2008 02:51 PM
Three
years ago, the North Dakota Catholic Conference
published a Catholic health care directive that met
North Dakota law, reflected Catholic teaching, and
incorporated the advice of health care
providers, ethicists, lawyers, chaplains, and
experienced
laypersons.
The Catholic health care directive proved very popular. Thousands were requested and sent out from our office. Other state Catholic conferences and diocese have used the documents as a model for their own advance directives.
We have now revised the Catholic health care directive. Don’t worry if you used the 2005 version. It is still good. The new version merely incorporates some facts we learned during the last three years, makes it more user-friendly, and even a little shorter.
We have also created a new website. The new site has an easy to use order/download form. You can download the copies you need or order multiple copies from the conference at no charge. The website also contains useful information on directives, end-of-life care, Catholic principles on health care decisions, bulletin inserts and links to additional information.
Please visit the new site and take advantage of this opportunity to ensure that health care decisions conform to your Catholic wishes.
The Catholic health care directive proved very popular. Thousands were requested and sent out from our office. Other state Catholic conferences and diocese have used the documents as a model for their own advance directives.
We have now revised the Catholic health care directive. Don’t worry if you used the 2005 version. It is still good. The new version merely incorporates some facts we learned during the last three years, makes it more user-friendly, and even a little shorter.
We have also created a new website. The new site has an easy to use order/download form. You can download the copies you need or order multiple copies from the conference at no charge. The website also contains useful information on directives, end-of-life care, Catholic principles on health care decisions, bulletin inserts and links to additional information.
Please visit the new site and take advantage of this opportunity to ensure that health care decisions conform to your Catholic wishes.
HHS Secretary Leavitt Praised For Defending Physicians’ Conscience Rights
03/19/2008 02:36 PM
WASHINGTON—
Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt was
praised for defending physicians’ conscience
rights by Deirdre McQuade, spokesperson on pro-life
issues for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
She made her comments on March 19 following a public
attack on Secretary Leavitt by the Religious
Coalition for Reproductive Choice.
The attack was prompted by a March 14 letter from Secretary Leavitt to the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG), expressing concern about a new ethics opinion from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) calling on conscientiously opposed physicians to perform or refer for abortions. Ms. McQuade’s statement follows.
“Secretary Leavitt should be commended for defending federal laws protecting the conscience rights of physicians. The new ACOG ethics opinion calling on pro-life OB/GYNs to perform or refer for abortions is in direct conflict with the policy reflected in federal law since 1973. Indeed, just yesterday, a federal judge in California dismissed a challenge to a federal law protecting physicians in government programs from being forced to do abortion referrals.
“If the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology relies on the ACOG opinion when deciding whether to grant board certifications, hospitals could find themselves illegally discriminating against perfectly qualified physicians who have been denied certification for ideological reasons. Any HHS Secretary should be concerned about the possibility of federal health care institutions placing themselves in conflict with federal law.
“The Religious Coalition for Reproductive Rights (RCRR), formerly known as the Religious Coalition for Abortion Rights, has nonetheless launched a personal attack on Secretary Leavitt for doing his job. RCRR’s March 18 news release accuses the Secretary of displaying a ‘narrow view of conscience,’ ‘disregard’ for women,’ and a ‘dogmatic indifference to the patient.’
“But it is RCRR that has a narrow view of conscience – so narrow as to recognize a genuine conscience claim only among those who happen to agree with RCRR about abortion. In fact, women and men, physicians and non-physicians, have a fundamental right not to be forced to participate in actions they believe are gravely wrong, especially actions involving the taking of an innocent human life. Moreover, most OB/GYNs in training today are themselves women, and these women have rights, too.
“The abortion industry -- and its allies in medical groups -- have often complained that so few doctors are willing to perform abortions, but that is no excuse for coercing pro-life physicians to do their dirty work. The movement that used to call itself “pro-choice” is becoming a parody of itself.”
The attack was prompted by a March 14 letter from Secretary Leavitt to the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG), expressing concern about a new ethics opinion from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) calling on conscientiously opposed physicians to perform or refer for abortions. Ms. McQuade’s statement follows.
“Secretary Leavitt should be commended for defending federal laws protecting the conscience rights of physicians. The new ACOG ethics opinion calling on pro-life OB/GYNs to perform or refer for abortions is in direct conflict with the policy reflected in federal law since 1973. Indeed, just yesterday, a federal judge in California dismissed a challenge to a federal law protecting physicians in government programs from being forced to do abortion referrals.
“If the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology relies on the ACOG opinion when deciding whether to grant board certifications, hospitals could find themselves illegally discriminating against perfectly qualified physicians who have been denied certification for ideological reasons. Any HHS Secretary should be concerned about the possibility of federal health care institutions placing themselves in conflict with federal law.
“The Religious Coalition for Reproductive Rights (RCRR), formerly known as the Religious Coalition for Abortion Rights, has nonetheless launched a personal attack on Secretary Leavitt for doing his job. RCRR’s March 18 news release accuses the Secretary of displaying a ‘narrow view of conscience,’ ‘disregard’ for women,’ and a ‘dogmatic indifference to the patient.’
“But it is RCRR that has a narrow view of conscience – so narrow as to recognize a genuine conscience claim only among those who happen to agree with RCRR about abortion. In fact, women and men, physicians and non-physicians, have a fundamental right not to be forced to participate in actions they believe are gravely wrong, especially actions involving the taking of an innocent human life. Moreover, most OB/GYNs in training today are themselves women, and these women have rights, too.
“The abortion industry -- and its allies in medical groups -- have often complained that so few doctors are willing to perform abortions, but that is no excuse for coercing pro-life physicians to do their dirty work. The movement that used to call itself “pro-choice” is becoming a parody of itself.”
Senate Approves Pro-Life Vitter Amendment -- North Dakota Senators Voted Against
02/26/2008 01:37 PM
Today, February 26, the
U.S. Senate approved the Vitter Amendment, 52-yes,
42-no, 6-not voting (Roll Call 30). The Vitter
Amendment places the language of the Hyde Amendment
abortion funding restrictions in the bill
reauthorizing the Indian Health Service, the Indian
Health Care Improvement Act Amendments, S. 1200.
Senators Kent Conrad and Byron Dorgan voted AGAINST the amendment.
Please contact them and express your disappointment that they did not support this amendment to ensure that taxpayer funds are not used for abortion on demand.
Senator Byron L. Dorgan
Washington: (202) 224-2551
Bismarck: (701) 250-4618
Toll Free: 1-800-666-4482
Fargo: (701) 239-5389
Grand Forks: (701) 746-8972
Minot: (701) 852-0703
senator@dorgan.senate.gov
Senator Kent Conrad
Washington: (202) 224-2043
Bismarck: (701) 258-4648
Toll Free: 1-800-223-4457
Fargo: Telephone: (701) 232-8030
Grand Forks: Telephone: (701) 775-9601
Minot: Telephone: (701) 852-0703
senator@conrad.senate.gov
Senators Kent Conrad and Byron Dorgan voted AGAINST the amendment.
Please contact them and express your disappointment that they did not support this amendment to ensure that taxpayer funds are not used for abortion on demand.
Senator Byron L. Dorgan
Washington: (202) 224-2551
Bismarck: (701) 250-4618
Toll Free: 1-800-666-4482
Fargo: (701) 239-5389
Grand Forks: (701) 746-8972
Minot: (701) 852-0703
senator@dorgan.senate.gov
Senator Kent Conrad
Washington: (202) 224-2043
Bismarck: (701) 258-4648
Toll Free: 1-800-223-4457
Fargo: Telephone: (701) 232-8030
Grand Forks: Telephone: (701) 775-9601
Minot: Telephone: (701) 852-0703
senator@conrad.senate.gov
Action Alert: Support SCHIP and the Unborn Child Rule
10/30/2007 12:38 PM
Please call your
Senators and tell them to support a State
Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)
bill that includes codifying the unborn child rule.
The Senate is expected to vote on the SCHIP bill the week of October 29.
You may call your Senators through the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 or:
Senator Kent Conrad
Washington: (202) 224-2043
Bismarck: (701) 258-4648
Toll Free: 1-800-223-4457
Fargo: Telephone: (701) 232-8030
Grand Forks: Telephone: (701) 775-9601
Minot: Telephone: (701) 852-0703
senator@conrad.senate.gov
Senator Byron L. Dorgan
Washington: (202) 224-2551
Bismarck: (701) 250-4618
Toll Free: 1-800-666-4482
Fargo: (701) 239-5389
Grand Forks: (701) 746-8972
Minot: (701) 852-0703
senator@dorgan.senate.gov
Action Needed:
Congress should improve the SCHIP bill and garner strong bipartisan support. The bill can be improved in ways that will strengthen and increase support for SCHIP by making the regulation providing states the option to enroll the unborn child in their SCHIP programs permanent.
A final SCHIP reauthorization should codify the unborn child rule, so states are secure in being able to choose life-affirming health services for needy children and their mothers without involvement in abortion. Without the unborn child option, the only way states could provide prenatal care would be by defining the pregnant woman as the patient in need of “child health assistance," which would trigger funding for abortion. Also, many children born as U.S. citizens would not receive needed prenatal care because of their mother’s immigration status.
The legislation should also maintain and expand coverage, reduce enrollment barriers, and expand outreach. Sufficient funding should be included in order to provide health care coverage to an additional four million more low-income children, reducing the number of uninsured children by nearly half.
USCCB Position:
“As Catholic organizations united by our common faith and committed to the principles of Catholic social teaching, we recognize and affirm the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death and the inherent dignity of every human being. We consider access to adequate health care to be a basic human right, necessary for the development and maintenance of life and for the ability of human beings to realize the fullness of their dignity. A just society is one that protects and promotes fundamental human rights and dignity, with special attention to meeting the basic needs of children and the vulnerable, including the need for safe and affordable health care.” (Letter to Senate Budget Committee from USCCB, Catholic Charities USA, and Catholic Health Association, March 15, 2007)
“The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has worked persistently to support and strengthen the nation’s vital efforts to provide adequate and affordable health care, especially to the most vulnerable members of our society, our children. We have joined with Catholic Health Association and Catholic Charities USA to encourage Congress to strengthen, expand and improve the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). We urge the Congress not to turn away from this essential national priority, but to renew its efforts to enact a strong, effective and improved national investment in the health of our children.
...We are convinced the bill can also be improved in ways that will strengthen and increase support for SCHIP. In 2002, the Department of Health and Human Services improved SCHIP by allowing states to interpret the word “child” in the statute to include the period from conception to birth. Twelve states (AR, CA, IL, LA, MA, MI, MN, RI, TN, TX, WA, WI) have already chosen to provide health care to pregnant women and their unborn children under this regulatory option.
Codifying this option will allow states to retain choice and flexibility in how best to provide essential health services to pregnant women and children. Access to prenatal care will allow more children to be born in good health, without a need for more extensive and expensive medical intervention. States will be able to choose improved coverage for unborn children and their mothers, without being required to expand state funding for abortions which would be especially tragic in a program dedicated to the lives and health of children…” (Letter to members of U.S. Congress from Bishop DiMarzio, Chairman of the USCCB Domestic Policy Committee, October 24, 2007)
We urge Congress not to turn away from the effort to reauthorize SCHIP. Congress has a responsibility to support this successful program and improve it by including coverage of the unborn child. Congress should enact a strong, effective, and improved national investment in the health of our children.
Background:
The SCHIP program is now in the process of being reauthorized. Temporary funding for SCHIP has been included in the Continuing Resolution (H.J. Res. 52) that will keep the government running to November 16, 2007. A first bill (H.R. 976) was vetoed by the president, and the veto was sustained. A revised bill (H.R. 3963) was passed by the House on October 25, 2007 by a vote of 265-142. This is not a veto proof majority. It is expected that the Senate will act on the legislation during this week. The president has threatened to veto the revised bill in its current form.
For more information on the unborn child rule see: http://www.nchla.org/actiondisplay.asp?ID=258
To see a copy of at letter from USCCB to the Senators: http://ndcatholic.org/files/SenateSCHIPLetter.pdf
The Senate is expected to vote on the SCHIP bill the week of October 29.
You may call your Senators through the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 or:
Senator Kent Conrad
Washington: (202) 224-2043
Bismarck: (701) 258-4648
Toll Free: 1-800-223-4457
Fargo: Telephone: (701) 232-8030
Grand Forks: Telephone: (701) 775-9601
Minot: Telephone: (701) 852-0703
senator@conrad.senate.gov
Senator Byron L. Dorgan
Washington: (202) 224-2551
Bismarck: (701) 250-4618
Toll Free: 1-800-666-4482
Fargo: (701) 239-5389
Grand Forks: (701) 746-8972
Minot: (701) 852-0703
senator@dorgan.senate.gov
Action Needed:
Congress should improve the SCHIP bill and garner strong bipartisan support. The bill can be improved in ways that will strengthen and increase support for SCHIP by making the regulation providing states the option to enroll the unborn child in their SCHIP programs permanent.
A final SCHIP reauthorization should codify the unborn child rule, so states are secure in being able to choose life-affirming health services for needy children and their mothers without involvement in abortion. Without the unborn child option, the only way states could provide prenatal care would be by defining the pregnant woman as the patient in need of “child health assistance," which would trigger funding for abortion. Also, many children born as U.S. citizens would not receive needed prenatal care because of their mother’s immigration status.
The legislation should also maintain and expand coverage, reduce enrollment barriers, and expand outreach. Sufficient funding should be included in order to provide health care coverage to an additional four million more low-income children, reducing the number of uninsured children by nearly half.
USCCB Position:
“As Catholic organizations united by our common faith and committed to the principles of Catholic social teaching, we recognize and affirm the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death and the inherent dignity of every human being. We consider access to adequate health care to be a basic human right, necessary for the development and maintenance of life and for the ability of human beings to realize the fullness of their dignity. A just society is one that protects and promotes fundamental human rights and dignity, with special attention to meeting the basic needs of children and the vulnerable, including the need for safe and affordable health care.” (Letter to Senate Budget Committee from USCCB, Catholic Charities USA, and Catholic Health Association, March 15, 2007)
“The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has worked persistently to support and strengthen the nation’s vital efforts to provide adequate and affordable health care, especially to the most vulnerable members of our society, our children. We have joined with Catholic Health Association and Catholic Charities USA to encourage Congress to strengthen, expand and improve the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). We urge the Congress not to turn away from this essential national priority, but to renew its efforts to enact a strong, effective and improved national investment in the health of our children.
...We are convinced the bill can also be improved in ways that will strengthen and increase support for SCHIP. In 2002, the Department of Health and Human Services improved SCHIP by allowing states to interpret the word “child” in the statute to include the period from conception to birth. Twelve states (AR, CA, IL, LA, MA, MI, MN, RI, TN, TX, WA, WI) have already chosen to provide health care to pregnant women and their unborn children under this regulatory option.
Codifying this option will allow states to retain choice and flexibility in how best to provide essential health services to pregnant women and children. Access to prenatal care will allow more children to be born in good health, without a need for more extensive and expensive medical intervention. States will be able to choose improved coverage for unborn children and their mothers, without being required to expand state funding for abortions which would be especially tragic in a program dedicated to the lives and health of children…” (Letter to members of U.S. Congress from Bishop DiMarzio, Chairman of the USCCB Domestic Policy Committee, October 24, 2007)
We urge Congress not to turn away from the effort to reauthorize SCHIP. Congress has a responsibility to support this successful program and improve it by including coverage of the unborn child. Congress should enact a strong, effective, and improved national investment in the health of our children.
Background:
The SCHIP program is now in the process of being reauthorized. Temporary funding for SCHIP has been included in the Continuing Resolution (H.J. Res. 52) that will keep the government running to November 16, 2007. A first bill (H.R. 976) was vetoed by the president, and the veto was sustained. A revised bill (H.R. 3963) was passed by the House on October 25, 2007 by a vote of 265-142. This is not a veto proof majority. It is expected that the Senate will act on the legislation during this week. The president has threatened to veto the revised bill in its current form.
For more information on the unborn child rule see: http://www.nchla.org/actiondisplay.asp?ID=258
To see a copy of at letter from USCCB to the Senators: http://ndcatholic.org/files/SenateSCHIPLetter.pdf
SCHIP Position
10/08/2007 04:09 PM
The North Dakota
Catholic Conference has long supported the State
Children's Health Insurance Program and has supported
its expansion in North Dakota. The conference has
also called on the federal government to renew and
adequately fund the program.
Since the vote on whether to override the President's veto is a federal matter, the North Dakota Catholic Conference will take direction, if any, on the matter from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB.) USCCB has historically supported SCHIP and has been involved in discussions regarding the renewal of the program. At this time, however, it has not expressed a position on the vote on whether to override the President's veto.
Since some abortion proponents attempted to include abortion funding in SCHIP and to prohibit states from including unborn children as “children” under the law, some persons are under the impression that USCCB opposes the current legislation. This is not true. Those efforts were defeated and the bill sent to President Bush retain the current law's prohibitions on using SCHIP for abortion.
For further clarification, the Catholic Health Association and Catholic Charities – USA supported the SCHIP legislation passed by Congress and which the President vetoed.
Since the vote on whether to override the President's veto is a federal matter, the North Dakota Catholic Conference will take direction, if any, on the matter from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB.) USCCB has historically supported SCHIP and has been involved in discussions regarding the renewal of the program. At this time, however, it has not expressed a position on the vote on whether to override the President's veto.
Since some abortion proponents attempted to include abortion funding in SCHIP and to prohibit states from including unborn children as “children” under the law, some persons are under the impression that USCCB opposes the current legislation. This is not true. Those efforts were defeated and the bill sent to President Bush retain the current law's prohibitions on using SCHIP for abortion.
For further clarification, the Catholic Health Association and Catholic Charities – USA supported the SCHIP legislation passed by Congress and which the President vetoed.
Vatican Answers Questions on Nutrition and Hydration
09/14/2007 11:01 AM
Here's the Press
Release from USCCB:
WASHINGTON—In response to a request by the U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s teaching on providing nutrition and hydration to patients in a persistent “vegetative state.”
The bishops presented two questions in a formal manner, known as a “dubium,” to the Congregation. The reply, which was approved by Pope Benedict XVI.
The responses reaffirm the church position that patients in a “vegetative state” are living human beings with inherent dignity and deserve the same basic care as other patients. This basic care would include nutrition and hydration, even when provided through artificial assistance.
“The administration of food and water even by artificial means is, in principle, an ordinary and proportionate means of preserving life,” according to the Congregation’s response. “It is therefore obligatory to the extent to which, and for as long as, it is shown to accomplish its proper finality, which is the hydration and nourishment of the patient. In this way suffering and death by starvation and dehydration are prevented.”
The bishops also asked for clarification as to whether nutrition and hydration could be removed if physicians determined that the patient would never recover consciousness. The Congregation affirmed that the patient must receive “ordinary and proportionate care which includes, in principle, the administration of water and food even by artificial means” regardless of the prognosis of recovery of consciousness.
A Vatican commentary noted some possible exceptions.
“When stating that the administration of food and water is morally obligatory in principle, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith does not exclude the possibility that, in very remote places or in situations of extreme poverty, the artificial provision of food and water may be physically impossible,” it said.
“Nor is the possibility excluded that, due to emerging complications, a patient may be unable to assimilate food and liquids, so that their provision becomes altogether useless. Finally, the possibility is not absolutely excluded that, in some rare cases, artificial nourishment and hydration may be excessively burdensome for the patient or may cause significant physical discomfort, for example resulting from complications in the use of the means employed.”
“These exceptional cases, however, take nothing away from the general ethical criterion, according to which the provision of water and food, even by artificial means, always represents a natural means for preserving life, and is not a therapeutic treatment. Its use should therefore be considered ordinary and proportionate, even when the “vegetative state” is prolonged,” it added.
The bishops asked the Holy See for clarification of the Church’s teaching after Pope John Paul II’s address on March 20, 2004, to an international congress sponsored by the Pontifical Academy for Life and the World Federation of Catholic Medical Associations.
“We are grateful that the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith responded to our request with such a thorough investigation and explanation,” Bishop William E. Lori of Bridgeport, Connecticut, chair of the U.S. bishops’ Committee for Doctrine, said in introducing the Response. “We hope the Church’s documents on this issue will provide help and guidance to pastors, ethicists, doctors, nurses and families involved in the care of those diagnosed as being in a persistent ‘vegetative state.’”
The responses from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) ( www.usccb.org/comm/hydrationletter.doc ), a CDF commentary ( www.usccb.org/comm/hydrationcommentary.doc ), approved by Cardinal William Levada and bishop members of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and a Q&A from the USCCB Committee on Doctrine and Committee on Pro-Life Activities ( www.usccb.org/comm/hydrationq&a.doc ) can be found on the Web.
WASHINGTON—In response to a request by the U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s teaching on providing nutrition and hydration to patients in a persistent “vegetative state.”
The bishops presented two questions in a formal manner, known as a “dubium,” to the Congregation. The reply, which was approved by Pope Benedict XVI.
The responses reaffirm the church position that patients in a “vegetative state” are living human beings with inherent dignity and deserve the same basic care as other patients. This basic care would include nutrition and hydration, even when provided through artificial assistance.
“The administration of food and water even by artificial means is, in principle, an ordinary and proportionate means of preserving life,” according to the Congregation’s response. “It is therefore obligatory to the extent to which, and for as long as, it is shown to accomplish its proper finality, which is the hydration and nourishment of the patient. In this way suffering and death by starvation and dehydration are prevented.”
The bishops also asked for clarification as to whether nutrition and hydration could be removed if physicians determined that the patient would never recover consciousness. The Congregation affirmed that the patient must receive “ordinary and proportionate care which includes, in principle, the administration of water and food even by artificial means” regardless of the prognosis of recovery of consciousness.
A Vatican commentary noted some possible exceptions.
“When stating that the administration of food and water is morally obligatory in principle, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith does not exclude the possibility that, in very remote places or in situations of extreme poverty, the artificial provision of food and water may be physically impossible,” it said.
“Nor is the possibility excluded that, due to emerging complications, a patient may be unable to assimilate food and liquids, so that their provision becomes altogether useless. Finally, the possibility is not absolutely excluded that, in some rare cases, artificial nourishment and hydration may be excessively burdensome for the patient or may cause significant physical discomfort, for example resulting from complications in the use of the means employed.”
“These exceptional cases, however, take nothing away from the general ethical criterion, according to which the provision of water and food, even by artificial means, always represents a natural means for preserving life, and is not a therapeutic treatment. Its use should therefore be considered ordinary and proportionate, even when the “vegetative state” is prolonged,” it added.
The bishops asked the Holy See for clarification of the Church’s teaching after Pope John Paul II’s address on March 20, 2004, to an international congress sponsored by the Pontifical Academy for Life and the World Federation of Catholic Medical Associations.
“We are grateful that the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith responded to our request with such a thorough investigation and explanation,” Bishop William E. Lori of Bridgeport, Connecticut, chair of the U.S. bishops’ Committee for Doctrine, said in introducing the Response. “We hope the Church’s documents on this issue will provide help and guidance to pastors, ethicists, doctors, nurses and families involved in the care of those diagnosed as being in a persistent ‘vegetative state.’”
The responses from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) ( www.usccb.org/comm/hydrationletter.doc ), a CDF commentary ( www.usccb.org/comm/hydrationcommentary.doc ), approved by Cardinal William Levada and bishop members of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and a Q&A from the USCCB Committee on Doctrine and Committee on Pro-Life Activities ( www.usccb.org/comm/hydrationq&a.doc ) can be found on the Web.
Life Issues Workshop October 27
08/24/2007 10:14 AM
The Respect Life Office
of the Fargo Diocese will host a one-day workshop on
Life Issues Saturday, October 27, 2007, 9 am. - 4 pm
at Cardinal Muench Seminary, 100 35th Ave NE, Fargo.
Morning presentations on beginning-of-life issues include: “Prenatal Testing and Perinatal Hospice” by Dr. Richard Vetter and “Women’s Health Issues” by Dr. Mary W. Martin, FACOG.
Afternoon workshops will focus on end-of-life care. Presentations include “Ethical Approach to End-of-Life Care Decisions” by Fr. Dale Kinzler, “The Catholic Health Care Directive” by Christopher Dodson, and “Catholic Funerals and Cremation” by Fr. Brian Moen.
Parish nurses, health care providers and interested persons are encouraged to attend. Contact hours will be available for nurses. Cost is $10/person. Lunch will be provided. Registration is required. For more information contact Rachelle, 701-356-7910, e-mail: rachelle.sauvageau@fargodiocese.org.
Click here for a registration form.
Morning presentations on beginning-of-life issues include: “Prenatal Testing and Perinatal Hospice” by Dr. Richard Vetter and “Women’s Health Issues” by Dr. Mary W. Martin, FACOG.
Afternoon workshops will focus on end-of-life care. Presentations include “Ethical Approach to End-of-Life Care Decisions” by Fr. Dale Kinzler, “The Catholic Health Care Directive” by Christopher Dodson, and “Catholic Funerals and Cremation” by Fr. Brian Moen.
Parish nurses, health care providers and interested persons are encouraged to attend. Contact hours will be available for nurses. Cost is $10/person. Lunch will be provided. Registration is required. For more information contact Rachelle, 701-356-7910, e-mail: rachelle.sauvageau@fargodiocese.org.
Click here for a registration form.
Story on SCHIP and North Dakota
08/12/2007 12:29 PM
Today's Fargo Forum has a story on
the success of the state children's health
insurance program and the efforts in Washington
to renew the program.
Organ Donation Conference -- Registration Form Now On-Line
08/03/2007 03:12 PM
Go
here for more
information on the Catholic Health Care
Conference on Organ Donation on October 9, 2007 in
Bismarck.
CHA Brings 30 Diverse Organizations Together To Support SCHIP Reauthorization and Oppose the President's Veto Threat
07/27/2007 03:31 PM
As congressional action
progresses in both chambers on children's health
legislation, Catholic Health Association organized a
large, diverse group to emphasize support for SCHIP
reauthorization at a press conference July 25 in the
U.S. Capitol. The coalition included representatives
from prominent health care, labor, business,
religious, consumer, child advocacy groups, and think
tanks. Speakers urged Congress to keep moving forward
and quickly reauthorize SCHIP, while also asking the
Administration to reconsider its opposition to the
legislation currently proposed. CHA President and CEO
Sr. Carol Keehan, DC, also released new polling data
commissioned by CHA showing strong public support for
SCHIP as well as opposition to the president's veto
threat. Following the press conference, CHA delivered
teddy bears symbolizing the coalition's theme
("Losing SCHIP Would Be Unbearable") to congressional
offices along with the coalition message to keep
supporting the children's health coverage program.
More information about the press event is available
on the
CHA website.
Health Care Conference on Organ Donation
07/26/2007 12:37 PM
North Dakota's Catholic
Health Care providers will gather October 9, 2007 for
their annual conference. This year's conference will
focus on ethical issues in human organ
transplantation The conference “Sharing the Gift of Life:
Organ Donation and Transplantation” will host
speakers Fr. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, PhD, National
Catholic Bioethics Center, Dr. Bhargav Mistry,
Director Transplant Program, Meritcare, and Susan Mau
Larson, APR, Life Source. The conference will
be held at St. Alexius Hospital, Bismarck, ND. Cost
is $75 per person and includes lunch. This event is
sponsored by the North Dakota Catholic Conference and
the Diocese of Fargo Respect Life Office. For more
information contact Rachelle Sauvageau,
701-356-7910.
Check back for more information.
Check back for more information.
Health Care Directives Pages Revised
07/09/2007 04:10 PM
We've revised
the Catholic Health
Care Directives pages to reflect two new laws
that go into effect August 1, 2007.
Cover the Uninsured Week - Must Visit Links
04/26/2007 10:54 AM
April
23 - 29 is Cover the Uninsured
Week
In North Dakota, out of a total population of 636,677 people, 12.2% do not have health insurance coverage. 8.6% of North Dakota's children are uninsured -- that is over 12,400 children!
Go here for more information about the uninsured in North Dakota.
Find out about the U.S. Bishops' Involvement in Cover the Uninsured Week.
Find out about the Catholic Health Association's involvement in Cover the Uninsured Week.
Visit the Cover the Uninsured Week web site.
In North Dakota, out of a total population of 636,677 people, 12.2% do not have health insurance coverage. 8.6% of North Dakota's children are uninsured -- that is over 12,400 children!
Go here for more information about the uninsured in North Dakota.
Find out about the U.S. Bishops' Involvement in Cover the Uninsured Week.
Find out about the Catholic Health Association's involvement in Cover the Uninsured Week.
Visit the Cover the Uninsured Week web site.
Children's Health Insurance -- State Activities
03/24/2007 10:27 AM
There was
hope this
session that the legislature could
expand the number of children eligible for Healthy
Steps, the state's children's health insurance
program. House Bill
1463,
along with a "continuous eligibility" provision
in Senate Bill 2012
(the Department of
Human Services budget) were supposed to accomplish
this goal.
However, the proposal has hit a snag due to a federal regulation and the House Appropriations Committee has removed the continuous eligibility provision in SB 2012.
It's not over yet, though. The proposal could still be salvaged. Doing so should be a top priority.
However, the proposal has hit a snag due to a federal regulation and the House Appropriations Committee has removed the continuous eligibility provision in SB 2012.
It's not over yet, though. The proposal could still be salvaged. Doing so should be a top priority.
Children's Health Insurance -- National Activities
03/24/2007 10:22 AM
The leaders of three
national Catholic organizations have called on
Congress to strengthen and expand a federal health
program that provides health insurance coverage for
children.
In a letter to the House and Senate Budget Committees, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA), and Catholic Charities USA urged Congress to adequately fund the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) so that all children eligible for the program get health care.
In a related action, the three national Catholic organizations, along with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the Conference of Major Superiors of Men; Ladies of Charity United States of America; the Leadership Conference of Women Religious; and the Catholic schools of social work are mobilizing Catholics across the country to contact their U.S. representatives and senators on March 21 to support increased funding for children's health insurance coverage through reauthorization of SCHIP.
See the full story.
In a letter to the House and Senate Budget Committees, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA), and Catholic Charities USA urged Congress to adequately fund the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) so that all children eligible for the program get health care.
In a related action, the three national Catholic organizations, along with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the Conference of Major Superiors of Men; Ladies of Charity United States of America; the Leadership Conference of Women Religious; and the Catholic schools of social work are mobilizing Catholics across the country to contact their U.S. representatives and senators on March 21 to support increased funding for children's health insurance coverage through reauthorization of SCHIP.
See the full story.
National Call-In Day for Children’s Health Care Wednesday, March 21st
03/19/2007 06:02 PM
More than 9 million
children in our country are uninsured. Millions
of these children are eligible for the State
Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) or
Medicaid but are not enrolled. During SCHIP
reauthorization this year, we have a significant
opportunity to ask Congress to improve and expand the
program— so that all children in need have the
health care they deserve.
Catholic Charities USA, the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, the Catholic Health Association and other Catholic organizations will be hosting in a national advocacy call-in day on Wednesday, March 21st. You can participate by calling your members of Congress at the toll-free number below.
Action Needed: Call your Senators and Representatives toll-free at 1-877-509-KIDS. When you call, tell your member of Congress:
• Please make meeting the needs of poor and vulnerable people at home and abroad a top budget priority.
• Today, SCHIP provides high quality, vital health coverage to more than 4 million children in great need. The program reaches children whose families would otherwise be unable to afford health insurance.
• Congress must provide adequate funding so the millions of children currently enrolled in SCHIP can continue to get heath care.
• Congress must expand health care access to the millions of children still uninsured, who are eligible for SCHIP or Medicaid but not enrolled. To do this, states will need approximately $60 billion in new federal funds over the next five years.
Background: The Catholic community has consistently worked for access to affordable health care for all. The United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, Catholic Charities USA and the Catholic Health Association have written to the House and Senate Budget Committees asking them to include funding in the FY 2008 budget resolution to maintain and expand health insurance coverage for children.
Catholic Charities USA, the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, the Catholic Health Association and other Catholic organizations will be hosting in a national advocacy call-in day on Wednesday, March 21st. You can participate by calling your members of Congress at the toll-free number below.
Action Needed: Call your Senators and Representatives toll-free at 1-877-509-KIDS. When you call, tell your member of Congress:
• Please make meeting the needs of poor and vulnerable people at home and abroad a top budget priority.
• Today, SCHIP provides high quality, vital health coverage to more than 4 million children in great need. The program reaches children whose families would otherwise be unable to afford health insurance.
• Congress must provide adequate funding so the millions of children currently enrolled in SCHIP can continue to get heath care.
• Congress must expand health care access to the millions of children still uninsured, who are eligible for SCHIP or Medicaid but not enrolled. To do this, states will need approximately $60 billion in new federal funds over the next five years.
Background: The Catholic community has consistently worked for access to affordable health care for all. The United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, Catholic Charities USA and the Catholic Health Association have written to the House and Senate Budget Committees asking them to include funding in the FY 2008 budget resolution to maintain and expand health insurance coverage for children.
Bill to Provide Health Care to Uninsured Children Gets Committee Approval
03/08/2007 09:59 AM
The Senate Human
Services Committee has given HB 1463 a "do pass" recommendation. The
bill would expand both medicaid and the state
children's health insurance program to so that
some currently uninsured children would receive
health coverage. The bill now goes to the
Senate Appropriations
Committee.
Medicare Part D: 4000 Not Signed-Up
02/14/2007 09:30 AM
The Forum reports
that,
according to Insurance Commissioner Jim Poolman,
more than 100,100 people with Medicare benefits in
North Dakota have signed up for prescription drug
coverage. That leaves about 4,000 people in the
state who are eligible for Part D who have not
signed up. Poolman believes most of those are low
income and will receive prescription coverage for
free through the Low Income Subsidy. They may
request coverage at any time.
Anyone with questions about Part D or people who think they may qualify for the Low Income Subsidy should contact the Insurance Department’s Senior Health Insurance Counseling (SHIC) program at (888) 575-6611 for assistance.
Anyone with questions about Part D or people who think they may qualify for the Low Income Subsidy should contact the Insurance Department’s Senior Health Insurance Counseling (SHIC) program at (888) 575-6611 for assistance.
Senate Approves Changes to Health Care Directives
02/10/2007 11:22 AM
The
Senate has approved two bills that would make changes
to the state's laws on health care directives.
SB 2308 would
allow a person to have a health care agent make
decisions without lacking capacity.
SB 2212 removes
extra paperwork that must be done when a person
completes a health care directive in a hospital or
nursing home.
Go here for more information on health care directives.
Go here for more information on health care directives.
The Year to Shore-up and Expand Health Care for the Poor? Children in Need
02/02/2007 04:27 PM
While it
looks at Medicaid reimbursement rates, the
legislature will also look at helping children
without any health insurance coverage. An estimated
12,000 children in the state lack basic health
coverage, mostly because their parents cannot afford
it, but earn too much to qualify for Medicaid or the
state's children's health insurance program.
Legislators introduced five bills to expand coverage
for children. A combination of political will to do
something about the problem and the state's healthy
budget increases the likelihood that the state will
expand health insurance coverage for these needy
children.
The Year to Shore-up and Expand Health Care for the Poor? Medicaid Reimbursement
02/02/2007 04:18 PM
For decades,
Medicaid has been the primary method of providing
health care to the poor in this country. Although not
perfect, the program, by-and-large, works. To keep
working, however, the program must ensure the
availability of health care and adequately reimburse
their services. Unfortunately, North Dakota is
failing in that regard.
A study commissioned by the North Dakota Legislature concluded that the state’s reimbursement rate is both inadequate and much lower than surrounding states. Hopefully, the North Dakota legislature will give hospitals and other health care providers the boost in reimbursements needed to sustain the state's commitment to the poor and needy.
The editorial board of the Bismarck Tribune apparently agrees.
A study commissioned by the North Dakota Legislature concluded that the state’s reimbursement rate is both inadequate and much lower than surrounding states. Hopefully, the North Dakota legislature will give hospitals and other health care providers the boost in reimbursements needed to sustain the state's commitment to the poor and needy.
The editorial board of the Bismarck Tribune apparently agrees.
Organ and Tissue Donation
01/19/2007 09:29 PM
The Senate is
considering adopting the new Uniform Anatomical Gift
Act (SB 2163). The bill does not change definitions
for determining death or interfere with a person's
wishes. Rather, it provides an improved system for
organ and tissue donation.
The Catholic Church supports organ and tissue donation. Nevertheless, many Catholics do not donate their organs and tissue because they think doing so is against Church teaching. Perhaps it would help to know that Pope Benedict XVI is a registered organ donor.
In 1999, then Cardinal Ratzinger, gave this interview with ZENIT explaining why he is a registered donor and why doing so is an "act of love."
The Catholic Church supports organ and tissue donation. Nevertheless, many Catholics do not donate their organs and tissue because they think doing so is against Church teaching. Perhaps it would help to know that Pope Benedict XVI is a registered organ donor.
In 1999, then Cardinal Ratzinger, gave this interview with ZENIT explaining why he is a registered donor and why doing so is an "act of love."
Marriage and Children's Health Bills
01/11/2007 08:47 AM
Legislative
committees held hearings yesterday on two bills
supported by the conference. SB 2041 would provide a
discount in a marriage license fee for couple who
have received premarital counseling. It was heard in
the Senate Judiciary
Committee. HB 1047 would expand
the number of children covered under the state's
Healthy Steps program, which is the state's
State-Children's Health Insurance Program. It
was House Human Services
Committee. Both committees will
not meet again until Monday, so there is time to
reach the committee members and express your
support for these bills.
