FOR RELEASE: January 18, 2011

CONTACT:  Stephanie Niedringhaus, 202-347-9797 x224, sniedringhaus@networklobby.org

Washington DC:  NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby, today told Congress that it must resist efforts to destroy the 2010 healthcare reform law.

Sister Simone Campbell, NETWORK Executive Director, stated: “Congress must not repeal this lifesaving law. Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has shown us once again how needed it is. Their new report reveals that as many as 129 million Americans younger than 65 have preexisting medical conditions that can make it difficult or impossible for them to receive insurance coverage. This law will save many of their lives by giving them access to needed medical care. What kind of nation would deny them that?”

NETWORK has been among our nation’s strongest advocates for universal access to affordable quality healthcare since our founding in 1971.Last year, we originated the famous letter supporting the healthcare bill that was signed by leaders of thousands of Catholic Sisters just prior to the final congressional vote.

We continue to view implementation of the law as a step toward our twin goals of healthcare for all and containment of healthcare spending. Our nation cannot afford to ignore recent findings by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office that repeal would increase the federal deficit over the coming decade and the number of uninsured non-elderly Americans by 32 million. We also cannot yank away healthcare coverage from young people who can remain on their family insurance as a result of this law.

Congress and President Obama must resist repealing this law. Instead, they should work together to make it even more effective.

For more information about our position on healthcare reform, please seehttp://www.networklobby.org/legislation/protect-lifesaving-healthcare-reform

NETWORK—a Catholic leader in the global movement for justice and peace—educates, organizes and lobbies for economic and social transformation. Founded in 1971 by 47 Catholic sisters, NETWORK is supported by thousands of groups and individuals committed to working for social and economic justice. For more information, see www.networklobby.org.

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