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CV NEWS FEED // In a joint effort, the Christ Medicus Foundation (CMF), the Religious Freedom Institute, and the Catholic Health Care Leadership Alliance have introduced a new policy agenda aimed at fortifying religious freedom within the American health care system.
According to an October 24 email press release from CMF, the agenda underscores the essential role of faith-based institutions in advancing the health and well-being of the American people, while highlighting religious freedom as a fundamental human right. Through this initiative, the coalition aims to raise awareness among the public and policymakers about the significance of religious freedom in health care, and the need to protect and empower religiously affiliated health institutions.
The policy agenda rests on several key principles designed to safeguard religious freedom and ensure faith-based institutions can fully contribute to the health sector.
- Equal Opportunities for Faith-Based Health Care: The coalition asserts that religious freedom in healthcare enables individuals and institutions to offer compassionate, patient-centered care. According to CMF, research suggests that integrating religious principles in healthcare practices can improve patient outcomes and contribute positively to overall well-being. The coalition urges the next U.S. administration and Congress to recognize and protect the rights of religious health care providers, allowing them equal access to funding and opportunities to participate in the private healthcare market.
- Protection of Life, Dignity, and Religious Freedom: With a commitment to protecting the most vulnerable, including unborn children, disabled patients, and those in underserved communities, the coalition advocates for policies that “protect the life, health, and dignity of all patients from conception to natural death.” The agenda calls for policy frameworks that prevent discrimination against patients based on their religious or moral beliefs and promote a healthcare system respectful of individual convictions.
- Access to Life-Affirming Medical Care: The coalition encourages collaboration between the government, faith-based organizations, and private health care providers “to facilitate equal access to life affirming medical care for all Americans.” They recommend that policies emphasize community-led solutions that empower local organizations, especially those with a religious foundation, to provide essential services to Americans in need.
- Enforcement of Religious Freedom Rights and Medical Conscience Protections: The coalition calls for rigorous enforcement of existing laws that protect medical professionals’ rights to act according to their conscience and religious beliefs. “Conscience and religious freedom rights, along with the right to life, are the pillars upon which all other civil rights stand,” the coalition states in the press release. They advocate for enhanced legal protections, including the ability for professionals to defend these rights in court, as a cornerstone for safeguarding civil liberties within healthcare.
- Rescinding Harmful Health Mandates: Highlighting concerns about mandates from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that compel health care providers to perform procedures contrary to their beliefs, the coalition urges the next administration to revoke such mandates. They argue that practices that compromise patient dignity should not be imposed upon health care providers.
- Reinforcing the Social Safety Net: The coalition emphasizes the need for policies that restore and strengthen support systems for vulnerable populations. They advocate for approaches that focus on holistic health, considering body, mind, and spirit, and recognize the importance of faith and community in health care.
- Patient Freedom in Health Care Choices: The coalition upholds that patients should have the right to make informed healthcare decisions that align with their ethical and religious values. This principle, they argue, is essential to protecting individual dignity and justice in healthcare.
The Christ Medicus Foundation continues its mission to share compassionate, Christ-centered care with a pro-life orientation through its CURO Catholic Health and Wellness Program, which offers holistic health solutions for families. Alongside its partners, the foundation aims to ensure that faith-based health care providers and patients can access medical services aligned with their moral convictions. By advocating for religious freedom and ethical practices in healthcare, the coalition envisions a future where religious freedom is respected as a core human right and a key driver of social stability and well-being in America.
