Catholics prepare to lobby Legislature

Over the years, explained Kathleen Gallagher, New York State Catholic Conference associate director, the forum has become more streamlined and sophisticated. Each diocese in the state has a coordinator to organize its own group of participants, and coordinators have learned to make appointments with state lawmakers earlier in the day to better fit their busy schedules.

The legislators themselves look forward to the forum each year, said Mrs. Gallagher, noting that some dioceses even invite lawmakers to lunch with participants to dialogue more about important issues.

Vital communication

"Our people misunderstand how important it is to talk to a legislator's staff," she said. "I would drive three-and-a-half hours to Albany with him, and I had his ear the whole time."

This year's forum will include not just meetings with lawmakers, but a press conference and Mass with Cardinal John O'Connor of the Archdiocese of New York City, concelebrated by the bishops of the other dioceses in the state.

Issues of concern

* In regard to the prohibition of partial-birth abortion, Mrs. Gallagher noted that "partial-birth abortion is not the big, publicly-debated issue it was two years ago. It's not in the paper every day, so it's easy for people to forget that children are still being destroyed in this brutal manner, right now, in New York State, under the mantle of law. We're there to remind them it has to stop."

* On opposition to physician-assisted suicide, she stated: "There have been no bills introduced yet this session to legalize physician-assisted suicide. However, I think we have to be very careful, because the trend in government today in regard to health care is controlling costs, downsizing. What cheaper method of healthcare delivery is there than eliminating the patient? The State of Oregon now pays for physician-assisted suicide. We have to be very careful about cost-control and how it could lead to physician-assisted suicide."

* Another targeted issue is the enactment of an investment tax credit to stimulate private donations to public and non-public schools and programs. Jim Cultrara, associate director at the Conference, told The Evangelist: "There is a tremendous need to obtain greater private-sector financial support for education, including public and non-public schools. The whole point of the tax credit is to encourage donors to support schools."

* David Hamilton, another associate director, spoke on the issue of expanding supports for working families and those in transition from welfare to work: "Though welfare cases are down and job growth is up, if working families are given a choice between a tax cut of a couple of dollars a week [and assistance with transportation to and from work, child care, health care and other needs], it's clear what the choice should be."

* On preserving essential services for the poor and ill, Mr. Hamilton said, "Society has an obligation to assist people with special needs, and these persons are entitled to having services provided with dignity. Child welfare is the biggest concern, because that's the only area in which the state did implement a block grant in '96, and that didn't work. Our concern is entitlement: Family prevention services, family reunification services and family preservation services are not being met by the block grant."

* Legislation threatening Catholic health care was explained by associate director Ron Guglielmo: "Threats to Catholic health care are really threats to health care in general. To the extent that restrictions are placed on Catholic health care, there will be irreparable harm done to the healthcare system in the state and to anyone trying to get adequate health care."

* Regarding the issue of protecting the conscience of Catholic healthcare providers and adequate access to and funding of healthcare services, Mr. Guglielmo noted that "every provider has the right to provide services according to their conscience or religious beliefs. We want to make sure every provider is given the opportunity to do that, so they don't have to compromise their beliefs."

On Medicaid cuts, he said, "This also affects the ability of our facilities to provide necessary care. We're really talking about the ability to provide care to the poor."

* Associate director Rick Barnes described the message on opposition to casino gambling simply: "Casino gambling victimizes the poor and vulnerable people. It victimizes and damages families that get caught up in gambling."

(The Public Policy Forum will be held on March 9 at the Empire State Plaza in Albany. For information, call 434-6195. Youth are also being trained to participate in the forum. Their training session will be held on Feb. 28 from 1-3:30 p.m. at Saratoga Central Catholic High School. To register, call the diocesan Office of Religious Education, 453-6630.)

(02-25-99) [[In-content Ad]]