This edition of FOCUS seeks to advance the Church’s support for universal health care, to detail what policy positions must be included in any effort to reform the nation’s health care delivery system, and to provide additional resources for Catholics to learn more about this critical, and morally relevant public policy. Read more…

The Michigan State Senate and House of Representatives have passed legislative resolutions commemorating the positive influence Catholics schools have in communities and families across the state. Catholic Schools Week is celebrated throughout the country January 31–February 6. Read more…

The U.S. Bishops have called on Congress to continue work on health care reform that provides access for everyone, protects life at all stages and upholds conscience rights. Read more…

An updated bulletin insert, pulpit announcements and prayer petitions have been sent to parishes across the country educating Catholics on the latest health care reform news, and asks for messages to be sent to elected officials in Washington, D.C. in support of reform that protects human life and provides coverage for the poor. [Link no longer available —Ed.]

“The Senate vote to table the Nelson-Hatch-Casey amendment is a grave mistake and a serious blow to genuine health care reform,” said Cardinal Francis George, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. [Link no longer available —Ed.]

Bishop Flores has served as a regional bishop in Detroit since November 29, 2006. He has overseen seven of the eighteen vicariates in the Detroit archdiocese, has advised the archdiocese on immigration issues, and has helped to established the Office for Hispanic Affairs. Bishop Flores will be installed on Feb. 2. Read more…

The U.S. Senate has begun debate on national health care reform, and support is needed for an amendment sponsored by Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Ben Nelson (D-NE) that would prohibit mandated abortion coverage and prohibit the use of federal taxpayer funds for coverage that includes elective abortions. [Link no longer available —Ed.]

In The Detroit News’ Faith and Policy column, Michigan Catholic Conference Vice President for Public Policy Paul A. Long calls for an end to efforts that would halt or scale back the Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit, which was signed into law in 2006 with broad bipartisan support. The Conference has long supported the tax credit due to the benefits it provides the working poor of the state. Read more…

Three chairmen of the bishops’ committees working on health care reform urged the U.S. Congress to improve current health care reform legislation, expressing their “disappointment that progress has not been made on the three priority criteria for health care reform” cited in their previous letters. [Link no longer available —Ed.]

The Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit, which provides a small benefit for those who are working but pay a disproportionate level of payroll taxes, is in jeopardy due to state budget difficulties. According to recent reports, the average median income of those who receive the tax credit is between $10,000 and $15,000. Please take a brief moment to telephone your legislator and the governor today, and kindly ask them to oppose any measure that halts full implementation of the state earned income tax credit. [Link no longer available —Ed.]