Minnesota Budget Forecast
Palliative care is a pro-life response to euthanasia, panelists say
ROME (CNS) — Intentionally causing a patient’s death is different from accepting that a patient is dying, then providing emotional and spiritual support and pain relief, said a doctor who practices and promotes palliative care.
Dr. Eduardo Bruera, medical director of the Department of Supportive Care Center at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, was one of the speakers at a Feb. 28-March 1 international congress on palliative care sponsored by the Pontifical Academy for Life.
“The reality is that, in medicine, we have focused much more on disease than on patients,” Bruera said. For example, he said, patients who report a “high-symptom burden” may be suffering from their cancer or from the toxicity of their treatment, but their situation also may be approaching the unbearable because they lost their job or are worrying about the impact of their illness on their families.
Palliative care, Bruera said, asks the medical team, the patient and the family to work together to alleviate suffering, whether it is physical, emotional or spiritual.
CHI, Dignity Heath to combine in new Catholic nonprofit system
Catholic Health Initiatives and Dignity Health have signed a definitive agreement to combine their ministries to create the largest Catholic health system in the nation, based on projected combined revenues. The organizations, which operate primarily in the Midwest and Western United States, said they expect to complete the transaction in the second half of this year. (more…)
New HHS civil rights division charged with protecting health-care workers with moral objections
The Trump administration announced Jan. 18 a measure aimed at protecting health-care workers who decline to give care that violates their beliefs. (Elyse Samuels/The Washington Post) (more…)
CHA Statement on the Establishment of the Conscience and Religious Freedom Division of OCR at hhs
Statement by Sister Carol Keehan, DC, President & Chief Executive Office Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA)
Catholic health care has always treasured the opportunity to care for everyone, not only those of other religious beliefs, races and backgrounds but even in conflict situations such as in wars and situations where there is a profound difference of opinions. Our deeply held religious and moral convictions are the source of both the work we do and the limits on what we will do. The conscience of Catholic health care does not allow us to participate in certain procedures we feel are an assault on the dignity of human life, such as abortion and euthanasia. That same conscience compels us to love and respect others who feel differently.
While there are certain procedures we do not do in our hospitals, there is no one who is not welcome for the care that we do provide in our hospitals.
This is a moment where the decency and integrity of the American people should frame the discussion. One more polarized and politicized argument is not going to serve the people of this nation well. CHA looks forward to participating in a productive dialogue on this important issue.
Take My Hand, Not My Life
Dr. Gianna Emanuela Molla (the daughter of St. Gianna) will share her perspectives on living moments of grace at life’s end at a Symposium on Saturday, October 28th in St. Paul. The event begins with an 8am Mass with Bishop Cozzens at St. Mary’s Chapel, St. Paul Seminary, with a continental breakfast and the symposium in Woulfe Alumni Hall at the University of St. Thomas from 8:45-11:30am. To register online, www.giannahomes.org/2017symposium, or 952.443.6100. (more…)
Medicaid, opioid addiction and transgender issues explored at health care symposium
Health care reform, transgender theory and the opioid epidemic were featured topics at a Sept. 20 gathering of Minnesota’s Catholic bishops and lay leaders.
Co-sponsored by the Minnesota Catholic Conference and the Catholic Health Association of Minnesota, “Healthcare in Minnesota: A Symposium Considering Contemporary Challenges” brought together local and national experts to speak about the emergent health care topics. It was held at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. (more…)
Assisted Suicide Resolution
A recent announcement has been made regarding the introduction of a Congressional Resolution opposing the legalization of assisted suicide. The resolution is sponsored and was submitted by the following legislators from both political parties: Mr. Wenstrup (for himself, Mr. Correa, Mr. Vargas, Mr. Langevin, Mr. Lipinski, Mr. Harris, Mr. LaHood, Mr. Abraham, Mr. Rothfus, and Mr. Suozzi). It was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. This bi-partisan effort is the result of months of work by individual congresspersons and their staffs, the Patients Rights Action Fund and the National Alliance Against Legalizing Assisted Suicide. Below is additional information on the Sense of Congress resolution, H.Con.Res.80. Organizations are encouraged to share this information on your social media pages and on their website.
Link to the legislation: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-concurrent-resolution/80/text/ih?overview=closed&format=xml
National alliance site: http://www.allianceagainstassistedsuicide.org/
Facebook of the presser: https://www.facebook.com/PatientsRightsAction/videos/vb.407531842699311/1392276174224868/?type=2&theater
Graham-Cassidy Bill
CHA-USA recently encourage Senators to reject the Graham-Cassidy legislation and instead support bipartisan efforts to improve our health care system focusing on insurance market stabilization, affordability, and coverage access and expansion. Read 9/17/17 letter here:
Read 09/22/2017 letter here:
Read 09/17/2017 letter here:
Healthcare in Minnesota Symposium
Healthcare in Minnesota
A Symposium Considering Contemporary Challenges
Wednesday, September 20 • University of St. Thomas
Healthcare reform. The opioid crisis. Gender theory.
These are just some of the emerging challenges on the healthcare landscape in Minnesota about which Catholics should be aware.
Join Minnesota’s bishops, expert speakers, and Catholic healthcare professionals from across Minnesota for this timely and edifying conversation.
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WHO: Clergy, healthcare professionals, and those in related fields
WHEN: 9:00a.m.— Noon; Wednesday, September 20
WHERE: N. Woulfe Alumni Hall, Anderson Student Center, University of St. Thomas (St. Paul) – map (#27)
COST: The event is free, but registration is required, as seating is limited.
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Speakers include:
- Sr. Renee Mirkes, OSF – Pope Paul VI Institute
- Sally Satel – American Enterprise Institute
- Meghan Goodwin – U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)
- Fr. John Stabeno – Catholic Charities (Diocese of Camden, NJ)
- State legislators and local experts