Catholic Lobby: New Poverty Data Shows Millions Lost Healthcare Last Year

For Immediate Release: September 10, 2019
Contact: Lee Morrow, lmorrow@networklobby.org, 202-601-7871

Catholic Lobby: New Poverty Data Shows Millions Lost Healthcare Last Year
Sr. Simone: “The Republican plan to sabotage the Affordable Care Act is causing even more people to go without healthcare”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Census Bureau released 2018 data on income, poverty, and health insurance coverage in the United States. The data show a marked increase in the number of uninsured people for the first time since 2010, while millions of people still struggle in poverty. The Catholic Sisters and activists of NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice urge Congress and the Administration to cease their attacks on the Affordable Care Act and to focus on supporting our most vulnerable. NETWORK issued the following statement:

Sister Simone Campbell, SSS, Executive Director of NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice said:

“It is shocking that in the richest nation on earth, the United States still has almost 40 million people living in poverty. The fact is, the federal poverty level is determined by the cost of food, but we know that healthcare costs significantly more. New poverty numbers give a false comfort. Millions of our people are still struggling. It’s time we wake up to that fact.

“New data has proven that the Republican plan to sabotage the Affordable Care Act is causing more people to go without healthcare. The Catholic Sisters and advocates of NETWORK call on Members of Congress and the Administration to stop giving handouts to the 1% and start supporting our vulnerable people. The new poverty numbers demonstrate the lie of trickle down economics, and it’s about time the Trump administration works to create an economy that serves us all.”

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NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice – advocates for justice inspired by Catholic Sisters – educates, organizes, and lobbies for economic and social transformation. They have a 46-year track record of lobbying for critical federal programs that support those at the margins and prioritize the common good. www.networklobby.org