'A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT'

Catholics urged to tell Congress to protect health coverage threatened by federal cuts

The U.S. Capitol in Washington is seen in this file photo. (OSV News photo/Nathan Howard, Reuters) (Courtesy photo of Nathan Howard)

The New York State Catholic Conference has asked Catholics across the state to urge Congress to delay changes in Premium Tax Credit eligibility which threatens health insurance coverage for 450,000 New Yorkers. The Conference echoed the calls of Governor Hochul and both Democratic and Republican members of the state’s House delegation to preserve this coverage.

“Since 2015, New York State has operated its Essential Plan, which provided coverage for adults aged 19-64 with incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL),” the Conference wrote in an action alert to more than 40,000 members of its Catholic Action Network. “Effective in 2024, the program was expanded to 250% of FPL to reach more New Yorkers due to a Section 1332 State Innovation Waiver the state applied for and received.”

“Under the waiver, 450,000 more individuals gained $0 premium coverage. In total, the Essential Plan provides coverage for 1.7 million adults who don't qualify for Medicaid. All are state residents, lawfully present in the United States and ineligible for Medicaid or Child Health Plus or employer coverage.”

The action alert included a sample message that CAN members can email to their members of Congress asking them to delay implementation of the eligibility changes for three years in the upcoming Continuing Resolution, and not to support a Continuing Resolution that does not do so.

“The Catholic Church considers universal access to healthcare a fundamental right and a moral obligation of a just society,” said Dennis Poust, executive director of the Catholic Conference. “We call on Congress to delay these eligibility changes so that 450,000 New Yorkers do not lose access to health insurance.

“At the same time, we’re grateful to Governor Hochul for her proposal to revert to the Basic Health Program, which would allow an estimated 1.3 million New Yorkers to retain coverage that might otherwise be lost due to the federal changes. This appears to be the best mitigation strategy to preserve health care for as many people as possible.”

The Catholic Conference represents Timothy Cardinal Dolan and the Bishops of New York State in public policy matters.

Link to this statement: https://www.nyscatholic.org/posts/catholics-urged-tell-congress-protect-health-coverage