Abp. Dolan: federal money for abortion in Obamacare a "grave concern"

Archbishop of New York Timothy Dolan says the use of federal money for abortion remains a “grave concern.” He has argued that abortion funding is a threat to universal health care because it excludes unborn children from its scope.

Writing in a Monday post at his blog “The Gospel in the Digital Age,” Archbishop Dolan noted the “tough spot” of those who are enthusiastic about universal health care.

“The bishops have been advocating universal health care for nearly a century. So, we sure want to see it work, and appreciate the efforts of the president and both parties in Congress to bring it home.”

“On the other hand, we’re worried. Health care, we insist, has to be truly universal. That means everybody – the baby in the womb, his or her mother, the poor, the immigrant, and our elders until natural death.”

While there is “much to cheer” about in the proposed health care bill, such as a provision for expectant mothers, the “grave concern” is that the public’s money will be used for abortions.

The archbishop said the Hyde Amendment, which restricts abortion funding, must be present in any health care bill or health care will not be universal “at all.”

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