FOR RELEASE: June 28, 2012

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

Washington: NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby, is extremely pleased that the Supreme Court has risen above partisan politics to uphold the constitutionality of President Obama’s healthcare reform law. This decision is nothing short of historic.

Sister Simone Campbell, NETWORK Executive Director, commented: “We are elated. The Supreme Court has affirmed that the law is constitutional, and we know that this prolife decision will save many, many lives. This is a win for the entire nation.”

Knowing that people with preexisting conditions cannot be denied coverage and that young people can continue to stay on their family healthcare policies is wonderful news for every family and individual. And we believe that officials at the state level will care more about their citizens than pure politics – and that they will therefor help the poorer people within their states access the healthcare they need.

This healthcare reform law is a positive response to the undeniable moral imperative that healthcare access is a human right. Upholding it means that the U.S. continues to be a land where citizens are entitled to the most basic healthcare.

NETWORK advocated strongly for the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010. We organized the Catholic Sisters’ amicus brief in late 2011 in support of the Medicaid extension provisions and marched and prayed in front of the Supreme Court steps at the 2012 hearing. Now it is time for Congress to allow the benefits to reach the people. NETWORK calls upon Congress to refrain from passing legislation that would derail full implementation of the law and to look at how every individual within our borders will someday have the lifesaving healthcare they need.

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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