LCWR RESPONDS TO PATIENT PROTECTION AND AFFORDABLE CARE ACT

After careful consideration, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious has accepted an invitation to participate with others in submitting an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in support of the constitutionality of the provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) requiring states to expand Medicaid eligibility to include people earning up to 133% of the Federal Poverty Level.  However, we have reserved the right to opt out should the brief prove to be inconsistent with the values or interests of our members.

We feel that our action is in keeping with the values of our conference and supports the right of those our members serve to receive health care irrespective of their economic situation.  We also believe that our continued support of the Affordable Care Act is the right and efficacious thing to do.

 If you would like additional information about the specifics of the case we would recommend Constitutional Challenges to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Four Questions for the Supreme Courtby Alexandra Hurd, Matthew Bobby, Faina Shalts and Robert Greenwald of the Harvard Law School Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation.

Let us pray for blessing on the Court's deliberation and for all of those who will be affected by its decision.

Peace,

Pat Farrell, OSF, President
Florence Deacon, OSF, President Elect
Mary Hughes, OP, Past-President
Janet Mock, CSJ, Executive Director
Ann Scholz, SSND, Associate Director for Social Mission