"It's really not that difficult to understand that killing is not a form of healing."

Here is Deirdre McQuade, spokesperson for the USCCB's Pro-Life Secretariat, responding to attacks made by Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood, on the USCCB's position on health care reform:

Richards attacks the bishops for opposing federal abortion coverage, funding, etc., finding it "ironic," as if that opposition undermines the call for universal coverage. But McQuade noted, "First of all, Richards really doesn't get what universal health care means. 'Universal' health care means coverage for all people. In the bishops' definition of all people, this includes the poor, immigrants and the unborn."
McQuade added, "'Universal coverage' means that all human beings in need should have access to health care, not that all health plans should cover whatever elective procedures Richards favors. Our Catholic vision -- far from being exclusive or limiting -- supports the most inclusive definition of universal coverage."

McQuade then explained why the exclusion of abortion is completely fitting for the bishops' vision of health care.

"It's simple," she said. "Abortion is not medical care. Pregnancy is not a disease, and fertility is not a pathological condition. Pregnant women are not carriers of illness but human beings with dignity who deserve optimum care along with their children, born and unborn."

Richards also casts the bishops as being out of step with the mainstream and using health care reform to advance their agenda. But McQuade pointed out that the bishops are actually standing up for longstanding and widely supported laws (i.e., the Hyde Amendment) when they oppose federal funding for abortion. Apparently, not only have federal funds long been kept from abortion, but even federal employee health benefits packages (the packages enjoyed by members of Congress) do not cover the vast majority of abortions.

"Since Planned Parenthood is the largest single provider of abortions in the United States, it is perhaps not surprising that Richards wants to consider abortion on demand an essential part of health care," McQuade said. "But most American disagree, and most doctors, nurses and hospitals do not provide abortions. It's really not that difficult to understand that killing is not a form of healing."

Good stuff from McQuade, who does excellent work. Of course, Planned Parenthood wasn't founded to promote healing, nor does it really care about healing. It's about power and control. "Many have imagined that feminine politics would be merely pacifist or humanitarian or sentimental," observed Chesterton, "The real danger of feminine politics is too much love of a masculine policy."

• Speaking Up For Life: An Interview with Deirdre McQuade, the USCCB’s Director of Planning and Information | Ignatius Insight | February 24, 2006

Comments

[Gail F]

Wow, way to go Deirdre McQuade!