Science and Tech Growth the Right Way
07/02/2008 02:55 PM Filed in: Embryonic
stem cell research
Much has been
made in the local press about a recent study showing
North Dakota to have the greatest increase in
favorability to technology and science. The
Milken Institute’s 2008
Technology and Science Index shows North Dakota to
have made the greatest improvement among the states
since 2004, moving from 41 to 35.
What is not mentioned is that North Dakota made this improvement without legalizing and funding embryonic stem cell research and human cloning. Proponents of embryo research make it sound as though unless a state jumps on the funding bandwagon, it will be left behind. The data shows the contrary. Indeed, some states that expressly prohibit such activities do rather well in the study, while states that have sunk public funding into human cloning, like California and New Jersey, fell in the rankings.
What is not mentioned is that North Dakota made this improvement without legalizing and funding embryonic stem cell research and human cloning. Proponents of embryo research make it sound as though unless a state jumps on the funding bandwagon, it will be left behind. The data shows the contrary. Indeed, some states that expressly prohibit such activities do rather well in the study, while states that have sunk public funding into human cloning, like California and New Jersey, fell in the rankings.
Action Alert: AIDS Relief
06/28/2008 09:33 AM
This
action alert comes from USCCB and Catholic Relief
Services. Abortion and population control advocates are
trying to derail passage of this important bill in the
hope of getting government funding for abortion and
contraceptive efforts, rather than focusing on saving
lives. Please act.
MILLIONS OF LIVES ARE AT STAKE:
SENATORS, MOVE THE GLOBAL AIDS BILL FORWARD
TAKE ACTION NOW!
Contact your Senators now (http://actioncenter.crs.org) and express your disappointment that they have not yet reached bipartisan consensus to move forward with the reauthorization of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Urge them to complete their work on PEPFAR when they return from the July 4th recess. Millions of lives are at stake!
WHY IS PROGRESS ON THE GLOBAL AIDS BILL STALLED?
Despite our many efforts to advocate for the Senate to complete its work on the bill to reauthorize PEPFAR, known as S. 2731, Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act, they failed to move the bill forward before recessing for the July 4th holiday. While the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) are disappointed that an agreement has not been finalized, we must now redouble our efforts to ensure that the Senate will find a bipartisan consensus and vote on the bill when they return from recess the week of July 7.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE GLOBAL AIDS BILL DOESN’T MOVE FORWARD?
Millions of lives are at stake if the Senate fails to reauthorize PEPFAR this year. CRS, a major provider of HIV care, prevention and treatment in many of the poorest countries in the world, along with many other providers depends on the PEPFAR program to save millions of lives. Without a firm commitment to reauthorize PEPFAR, CRS and other providers cannot plan for future activities. The risk of suspending funding, however brief, could disrupt HIV treatment, undermine the credibility of healthcare institutions providing HIV services, and endanger lives.
WHAT HAS PEPFAR ACHIEVED SO FAR?
Because of PEPFAR, CRS has saved more than 115,000 lives through antiretroviral treatment and provides care and support services for another 175,000 HIV positive people. Men and women who were on the brink of death are now leading normal lives, caring for their children and contributing to their communities. More than 60,000 orphaned children are being cared for, going to school and embracing a bright future. Nearly 350,000 youth have been educated about risky behaviors and how abstinence-until-marriage and mutual fidelity within marriage are the most effective ways to prevent HIV infections. Visit the CRS Web site (http://crs.org/public-policy/hiv_aids.cfm) for more information.
WHAT DOES PEPFAR HAVE TO DO WITH MY FAITH?
Our faith as Catholics requires us to care for “the least of these” and to uphold the life and dignity of all people. People affected by HIV or suffering from AIDS need and deserve our love and care, just as Jesus called on us to care for those who are hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill. Catholic social teaching instructs us to live in solidarity with our brothers and sisters around the world. Pope Benedict XVI, in his World AIDS Day message in 2007 stated: “I wish to exhort all people of good will to increase their efforts to halt the spread of the HIV virus, to combat the disdain which is often directed towards people who are affected by it, and to care for the sick, especially those who are still children."
WHAT IS THE CHURCH’S POSITION ON PEPFAR?
The Catholic Church in the United States strongly supports moving forward with a PEPFAR bill that retains the program’s current focus on saving the lives of poor people affected by HIV and living with AIDS and continues to include provisions supporting a morally appropriate approach to combating the disease. Bishop Wenski, Bishop of Orlando and Chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on International Justice and Peace, reiterated the Church’s support for the PEPFAR program in a recent opinion editorial, stating: “Not only has PEPFAR saved lives, the world has seen in PEPFAR a true act of American compassion and leadership. This U.S. global initiative has also raised the bar for other donor countries to respond with generosity to the AIDS pandemic.”
MILLIONS OF LIVES ARE AT STAKE:
SENATORS, MOVE THE GLOBAL AIDS BILL FORWARD
TAKE ACTION NOW!
Contact your Senators now (http://actioncenter.crs.org) and express your disappointment that they have not yet reached bipartisan consensus to move forward with the reauthorization of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Urge them to complete their work on PEPFAR when they return from the July 4th recess. Millions of lives are at stake!
WHY IS PROGRESS ON THE GLOBAL AIDS BILL STALLED?
Despite our many efforts to advocate for the Senate to complete its work on the bill to reauthorize PEPFAR, known as S. 2731, Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act, they failed to move the bill forward before recessing for the July 4th holiday. While the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) are disappointed that an agreement has not been finalized, we must now redouble our efforts to ensure that the Senate will find a bipartisan consensus and vote on the bill when they return from recess the week of July 7.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE GLOBAL AIDS BILL DOESN’T MOVE FORWARD?
Millions of lives are at stake if the Senate fails to reauthorize PEPFAR this year. CRS, a major provider of HIV care, prevention and treatment in many of the poorest countries in the world, along with many other providers depends on the PEPFAR program to save millions of lives. Without a firm commitment to reauthorize PEPFAR, CRS and other providers cannot plan for future activities. The risk of suspending funding, however brief, could disrupt HIV treatment, undermine the credibility of healthcare institutions providing HIV services, and endanger lives.
WHAT HAS PEPFAR ACHIEVED SO FAR?
Because of PEPFAR, CRS has saved more than 115,000 lives through antiretroviral treatment and provides care and support services for another 175,000 HIV positive people. Men and women who were on the brink of death are now leading normal lives, caring for their children and contributing to their communities. More than 60,000 orphaned children are being cared for, going to school and embracing a bright future. Nearly 350,000 youth have been educated about risky behaviors and how abstinence-until-marriage and mutual fidelity within marriage are the most effective ways to prevent HIV infections. Visit the CRS Web site (http://crs.org/public-policy/hiv_aids.cfm) for more information.
WHAT DOES PEPFAR HAVE TO DO WITH MY FAITH?
Our faith as Catholics requires us to care for “the least of these” and to uphold the life and dignity of all people. People affected by HIV or suffering from AIDS need and deserve our love and care, just as Jesus called on us to care for those who are hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill. Catholic social teaching instructs us to live in solidarity with our brothers and sisters around the world. Pope Benedict XVI, in his World AIDS Day message in 2007 stated: “I wish to exhort all people of good will to increase their efforts to halt the spread of the HIV virus, to combat the disdain which is often directed towards people who are affected by it, and to care for the sick, especially those who are still children."
WHAT IS THE CHURCH’S POSITION ON PEPFAR?
The Catholic Church in the United States strongly supports moving forward with a PEPFAR bill that retains the program’s current focus on saving the lives of poor people affected by HIV and living with AIDS and continues to include provisions supporting a morally appropriate approach to combating the disease. Bishop Wenski, Bishop of Orlando and Chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on International Justice and Peace, reiterated the Church’s support for the PEPFAR program in a recent opinion editorial, stating: “Not only has PEPFAR saved lives, the world has seen in PEPFAR a true act of American compassion and leadership. This U.S. global initiative has also raised the bar for other donor countries to respond with generosity to the AIDS pandemic.”
Senate Vote Falls Short on House Approved Medicare Package
06/28/2008 09:28 AM Filed in: Health
Care
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.
Torture is a Moral Issue
06/25/2008 04:52 PM
USCCB
has released a new Catholic study guide on "Torture is
a Moral Issue." Written in a lively style, this four
chapter guide will stimulate discussion in your parish
social action and youth groups, or in
classes teaching social justice and human
rights, on a topic much in the news. Learn what
you can do to stop torture now. To access the guide, go
to
http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/TortureIsAMoralIssueCatholicStudyGuide.pdf or
click on the "Torture is a Moral Issue" logo on the
front page of the USCCB/JPHD Web site
(www.usccb.org/jphd).
Important Ruling on the Death Penalty
06/25/2008 04:47 PM Filed in: Death
Penalty
The
Supreme Court ruled 5-4 today against the expansion of
the use of the death penalty for those who have raped,
but did not kill, a child. While the Catholic Church
strongly condemns sexual violence of every kind,
Catholic teaching calls for an end to the use of the
death penalty because we have other, non-lethal ways to
protect society from those who commit heinous crimes.
The U.S. bishops have been calling for an end to the
use of the death penalty for almost three decades and
today’s ruling to prevent the expansion of the
death penalty is a welcome victory.
Catholic Charities USA Midwest Floods Reliefs Efforts
06/25/2008 09:21 AM
Flooding in the Midwest is the biggest disaster to hit the United States since Hurricane Katrina three years ago. Nearly 35,000 people have been displaced and 24 people have been killed.
According to Catholic Charities USA Disaster Response Office, people are depressed and anxious as a result of all the devastation that surrounds them. The need for mental health counseling will only grow as more people return home.
Catholic Charities USA’s Response
Catholic Charities USA's (CCUSA) Office of Disaster Response is on the ground in the Midwest helping local Catholic Charities agencies assess, develop and implement recovery efforts. We also are working closely with our partners, including FEMA, local Red Cross and church groups to help address the needs of victims.
Drawing on our experiences with Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, plans are underway to train and deploy volunteer coordinators and crews to help with the cleaning up and gutting of damaged homes in the hard-hit areas of Iowa, Wisconsin, and Indiana.
Catholic Charities USA has provided $10,000 grants to three local agencies impacted by the floods to help them meet immediate needs.
Please visit www.CatholicCharitiesUSA.org for further updates.
Bishops Speak Against Embryonic Stem Cell Research
06/13/2008 09:02 PM Filed in: Embryonic
stem cell research
The Catholic bishops of
the United States overwhlemingly approved a new policy
statement on embryonic stem cell research, by a vote of
191 to 1. The statement is available at:
www.usccb.org/prolife/issues/bioethic/bishopsESCRstmt.pdf
www.usccb.org/prolife/issues/bioethic/bishopsESCRstmt.pdf
Sister Susan Berger, Friend of Conference
06/13/2008 07:28 AM
Sister Susan Berger, OSB,
former prioress of Annunciation Monastery and long-time
friend of the North Dakota Catholic Conference, died
Thursday. Our prayers to the sisters, and all who knew
and were touched by Sister Susan.
More information here.
More information here.
State Chief Justice Wants Guardianship Need Study
06/12/2008 04:23 PM
North Dakota Chief
Justice Gerald VandeWalle presented the annual State of
the Judiciary message to the State Bar Association's
annual meeting on June 12. In the address, the Chief
Justice expressed concern about the growing demand for
guardianships and public administrators:
The full address can be found here.
I am growing more and more concerned about the need for and how the courts deal with guardianships and public administrators. With our aging population, it will become an issue of ever greater importance. I think that it may be especially acute in North Dakota because many of the family members who would normally provide care to elderly relatives are no longer residing in North Dakota. I intend to approach the legislature with these concerns and ask them to consider a study on population and aging issues. If this resolution should be accepted for interim study, I expect the legislature will look to the Bar for its input.
The full address can be found here.
SCHIP Expansion Approved
06/09/2008 01:28 PM Filed in: Health
Care
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.
Faithful Citizenship Videos
06/04/2008 08:12 PM Filed in: Catholic
Social Teaching
USCCB has released a DVD
for use with Forming Consciences for Faithful
Citizenship.
The
Faithful Citizenship website has three videos from the DVD for
viewing.
Farm Bill Summary
06/04/2008 10:03 AM Filed in: Rural Life
USCCB,
National Catholic Rural Life
Conference, and
Catholic Relief
Services, have released a
good Update on the Farm
Bill, where it stands,
and the “good news” and “bad
news” in the bill.
ND Office for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives
06/03/2008 02:13 PM Filed in: News
The 2007
legislature moved the Office of Faith-based and
Community Initiatives (OFBCI) to the Department of
Commerce. The department now has a website devoted to
the state OFBCI. The site includes regular newsletters,
meeting information, grant opportunities, and
communications from the White House Office of
Faith-based and Community Initiatives.
Check it out.
Health Care Directive Workshop
05/15/2008 11:01 AM Filed in: Health
Care
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 Items on Papal Visit
05/15/2008 09:40 AM
We have posted
two items related to Pope Benedict's visit to the
United States.
White House Papal Visit includes a reflection by Christopher Dodson prepared for the diocesan newspapers, a photo gallery, and the text of the Holy Father's and the President's remarks.
Was the Pope's Visit Political? examines whether the Pope's visit was political and what it means to be political. It is the monthly column for the diocesan papers.
White House Papal Visit includes a reflection by Christopher Dodson prepared for the diocesan newspapers, a photo gallery, and the text of the Holy Father's and the President's remarks.
Was the Pope's Visit Political? examines whether the Pope's visit was political and what it means to be political. It is the monthly column for the diocesan papers.
Farm Bill - Joint Letter to Congress
05/13/2008 01:02 PM Filed in: Rural Life
Representatives
from USCCB, National Catholic Rural Life Conference,
and Catholic Relief Services have sent a
joint letter to members of Congress
regarding the Farm Bill. House and Senate
conferees have finished a final conference report
that is heading to congress for a vote.
Help Families in Myanmar Devastated by Cyclone Nargis
05/07/2008 01:47 PM Filed in: News
The United
Nations estimates that up to a million people may have
been left homeless in the wake of Cyclone Nargis. "It
could not have happened in a worse stretch of land.
With the tidal surge at 12 to 15 feet, presumably
thousands of people living along the [Irrawaddy] Delta
were simply washed away," says Pat Johns, director of
Catholic Relief Services' emergency response team.
CRS is supporting the emergency relief and response efforts of the Caritas Internationalis network in the most affected areas of Myanmar after Cyclone Nargis brought a deadly tidal surge across the low-lying coastal areas of the country on Saturday.
The latest reports are that 60,000 people are dead or missing and 1 million are homeless. These numbers are expected to rise. The level of devastation is still difficult to assess as communications remain spotty and news trickles out of the country. Conditions are dire. Food, water and basic shelter are urgently needed.
Please donate now to help CRS provide relief to the thousands of families affected by this tragic disaster.
For more than 60 years, CRS has supported long-term development programs and emergency relief efforts—including responses to cyclones and other natural disasters—in the regions of Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
CRS is supporting the emergency relief and response efforts of the Caritas Internationalis network in the most affected areas of Myanmar after Cyclone Nargis brought a deadly tidal surge across the low-lying coastal areas of the country on Saturday.
The latest reports are that 60,000 people are dead or missing and 1 million are homeless. These numbers are expected to rise. The level of devastation is still difficult to assess as communications remain spotty and news trickles out of the country. Conditions are dire. Food, water and basic shelter are urgently needed.
Please donate now to help CRS provide relief to the thousands of families affected by this tragic disaster.
For more than 60 years, CRS has supported long-term development programs and emergency relief efforts—including responses to cyclones and other natural disasters—in the regions of Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
USCCB Official Praises Senate Passage of ‘Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act’
04/24/2008 03:46 PM Filed in: News
WASHINGTON—The
U.S. Senate voted 95 to 0 to pass the Genetic
Information Nondiscrimination Act (“GINA,”
H.R. 493), which bars employers and health insurers
from discriminating against individuals on the basis of
their own or their family members’ genetic
information, on April 24.
Deirdre McQuade, Assistant Director for Policy and Communications at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, praised its passage.
“Today the Senate took a stand for some of the most vulnerable members of the human family, whether born, yet to be born, or placed for adoption. No one should be discriminated against on the basis of genetic testing,” McQuade said.
The House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a nearly identical bill by a vote of 420 to 3 on April 25, 2007.
“The Pro-Life Secretariat is particularly grateful to Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) for ensuring that this bill’s protection against discrimination will cover the families of unborn children with adverse prenatal diagnoses, as well as children being adopted,” she said. “His advocacy on their behalf will empower families to welcome vulnerable children with special needs into their lives.”
“After minor technical differences between the House and Senate bills are resolved, we look forward to President Bush signing into law this important protection for American families,” McQuade said.
Deirdre McQuade, Assistant Director for Policy and Communications at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, praised its passage.
“Today the Senate took a stand for some of the most vulnerable members of the human family, whether born, yet to be born, or placed for adoption. No one should be discriminated against on the basis of genetic testing,” McQuade said.
The House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a nearly identical bill by a vote of 420 to 3 on April 25, 2007.
“The Pro-Life Secretariat is particularly grateful to Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) for ensuring that this bill’s protection against discrimination will cover the families of unborn children with adverse prenatal diagnoses, as well as children being adopted,” she said. “His advocacy on their behalf will empower families to welcome vulnerable children with special needs into their lives.”
“After minor technical differences between the House and Senate bills are resolved, we look forward to President Bush signing into law this important protection for American families,” McQuade said.
New Column
04/23/2008 08:08 AM Filed in: Health
Care |Voting
New column
posted on
the new health care directives, Faithful
Citizenship, and upcoming health care
conference.
Catholic Conference Director Attends White House Ceremony for Pope
04/17/2008 10:03 AM Filed in: News
North
Dakota Catholic Conference executive director
Christopher Dodson attended a White House welcoming
ceremony for Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday.
The invitation-only event on the White House south lawn was the official welcome to the Pope on his first visit to the United States since assuming the pontificate. It was only the second visit of a pope to the White House in United States history.
President Bush and first lady Laura Bush welcomed the Pope in a ceremony that included a 21-gun salute, a fife and drum band, and a singing of the Lord’s Prayer. Following the official ceremony, the band led the crowd in singing “Happy Birthday” to the Pope, who turned 81 on Wednesday.
“Both the President and the Holy Father spoke of the importance of faith, virtue, and religious liberty in a democratic society,” said Dodson. “The whole event instilled a sense of pride and appreciation at being both Catholic and American,” added Dodson.
Dodson received the invitation because of his position as the public policy liaison for the state’s Roman Catholic bishops. He will be available for interviews.
The invitation-only event on the White House south lawn was the official welcome to the Pope on his first visit to the United States since assuming the pontificate. It was only the second visit of a pope to the White House in United States history.
President Bush and first lady Laura Bush welcomed the Pope in a ceremony that included a 21-gun salute, a fife and drum band, and a singing of the Lord’s Prayer. Following the official ceremony, the band led the crowd in singing “Happy Birthday” to the Pope, who turned 81 on Wednesday.
“Both the President and the Holy Father spoke of the importance of faith, virtue, and religious liberty in a democratic society,” said Dodson. “The whole event instilled a sense of pride and appreciation at being both Catholic and American,” added Dodson.
Dodson received the invitation because of his position as the public policy liaison for the state’s Roman Catholic bishops. He will be available for interviews.