Sisters and community members gathered outside the Beaver County Courthouse June 16 to pray for quality, affordable healthcare for all.
“It’s not a political issue. It’s a moral issue,” said Sister Jeanette Bussen, Coordinator of Justice and Peace.
Sister Barbara Czyrnik welcomed participants to the “pray-in” and Sister Kari Pohl led a prayer for “those who seek care but find it is out of reach; those we love who are struggling with illness; those who are blessed with health and security, that they may work to fill the needs of those who are sick and insecure.”
Following the prayer, several community members shared personal stories about how the American Health Care Act would impact their family members and loved ones. After a closing prayer, Sister Kari led the group in singing “Amazing Grace.”
Sisters and representatives from Pennsylvania Health Access Network urged attendees to contact Senators Pat Toomey and Bob Casey and ask them to think about the hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians that would be affected. The Leadership Team also wrote to Senators Toomey and Casey stating that the “nation’s health care system cannot be run simply as a business because human lives are at stake.”
The letter, which was co-signed by more than 30 religious communities and organization across the state, goes on to read:
“Behind these statistics are real people – human lives – many of whom are who are already struggling to make ends meet. It will be harder and more expensive for them to get affordable nursing home care for an elderly parent or home-care services that allow many seniors to remain at home.”
“We join the voice of Pope Francis who reminds us that quality health care is a basic human right and a fundamental social good for all God’s people. As Catholic sisters and members of Pennsylvania’s faith community, we are inspired by the Gospel and our mission to respond to the urgent and critical needs of our neighbors, particularly the frail elderly, those who are poor and vulnerable, those with diminished mental or physical capacities, and those who are chronically ill.”
View Beaver County Times coverage.
View the full letter and list of co-signors.
