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St. Paul Pioneer Press Opinion Submission

As more Americans lose jobs and insurance coverage, health-care reform becomes ever more critical. Instead of working toward the reform that is so desperately needed, some groups, including the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, have worked overtime to ensure that women are denied the comprehensive health care they currently have.

As the historic bill moved through the U.S. House over the weekend, an amendment was attached that is designed to severely reduce access to abortion in the United States. The Stupak/Pitts amendment is the direct result of ramped up pressure from the Catholic Bishops and others. The amendment passed even though the House bill already contains carefully crafted compromise language that allows women to keep the benefits they currently have while also ensuring that no federal funding is used for abortions.

As religious people, our concern is that this amendment threatens religious freedom. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops advocated that their religious views be added to the House Bill. Members of the Minnesota Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice and Americans from many faith traditions do not share the Catholic bishops’ doctrine on reproductive issues. The bishops’ theological viewpoints should not shape the public policy of all Americans.

It is important to remember that the original goal of health reform was to expand access to health care, improve quality, and reduce costs — not to litigate abortion rights. As the Senate shapes their health care bill, we call on all Senators to ensure that health care reform is freed of religious ideology and restrictions that will prevent women from making their own personal health care choices. We support a health care system that is inclusive and respectful of diverse religious beliefs and decisions regarding childbearing.

As religious leaders, we support public policies that are just and compassionate and prioritize the needs of those who are poor and marginalized in our society. In this religiously pluralistic nation, our health-care system should be inclusive and respectful of diverse religious beliefs and decisions regarding childbearing. A health-care system that serves all persons with dignity and equality will include comprehensive reproductive health services.

Our faith traditions are abundantly clear about living in community with others and being responsible for them. Our traditions share the common goal of taking care of the well-being of those most in need. We join with others in urging a return to the core of our faith traditions and realize that providing access to safe and quality health care makes sense morally, ethically, spiritually, and financially. The importance of expanding access to health care should not be sidetracked by a vocal minority.

Members and Friends of the Minnesota Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice

Joan Adams, United Methodist

Jill Agosto, Monticello

Kathy Ahrens, Minneapolis

Rabbi Morris Allen, Mendota Heights

Rev. Judith Allen Kim, Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area, Excelsior

Louis Asher, Unitarian Universalist, Vadnais Heights

Catherine Apostle, member, First Universalist Church, Minneapolis

Dr. Tess Barrett, Vadnais Heights

Rev. Jody Barry, Lutheran, St. Paul

Beth Beaty, United Methodist, St. Paul

Jody Beresford, PhD, the Association of Universalist Women

Rev. Dr. Nadean Bishop, American Baptist, Stillwater

Jeanne Bringgold-Pro, candidate for ministry, United Church of Christ

Crystal Brown, Mother, Person of Faith, Social Worker, St. Louis Park

Delaine K. Martinson Bjerke, Trinity ELCA Lutheran Church, Moorhead

Jay Bjerke, Trinity ELCA Lutheran Church, Moorhead

Shannon Kranzler Burdsal, Minnesota Chapter, National Organization for Women

Rev. Lyn Burton, Unitarian Universalist, St. Paul

The Rev. Norma Burton, Linden Hills United Church of Christ, Minneapolis

Dick Carlson, First Universalist Church, Maple Grove

Judith Carlson, First Universalist Church, Maple Grove

Rev. Lyle T. Christianson, Golden Valley

Kelli Clement, Candidate for Ministry, UUA

Alice and Ed Cowley, Becker

Paula Craigo, ELCA Lutheran, Rochester

Reverend Lisa M. Doege, Nora Free Church, Unitarian Universalist, Hanska, Minnesota

Rev. Doug Donley, University Baptist Church, Minneapolis

Bright M. Dornblaser, Edina

Richard E. Edwards, Moose Lake United Methodist Church

Rev. Dr. Rob Eller-Isaacs, and Rev. Dr. Janne Eller-Isaacs, Co-Ministers, Unity Church Unitarian, St. Paul

Beth A. Elliot, M.D, Rochester

Christina Erickson, Assistant Professor, Augsburg College

Frances Fischer, Beth Jacob Congregation, Eagan

Vivian G. Fischer, M.D, Adath Jeshurun Congregation, Minnetonka

Rita Franchett, First Universalist Church, Minneapolis

Amy Gavel, Jewish, St. Paul

Michelle Gellerman, Methodist, Maplewood

Rev. Dr. Kendyl Gibbons, Sr. Minister, First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis

Laurie Goldsmith, Beth Jacob Congregation, St. Louis Park

Gretchen H. Goodman, Episcopal Church of the Nativity, Burnsville

Elizabeth M. Gutmann, Minnesota Valley UU Fellowship, Bloomington

Nancy Heege, District Executive, Prairie Star District Unitarian Universalist Association

Elizabeth Pletcher Harincar, Nokomis Heights Lutheran Church

Kate Hopper, Minneapolis

Linnea House, Minneapolis

Christine Hurney, Minneapolis

Ann Jensen, Oakland Avenue United Methodist Church, Minneapolis

Deborah Bearman Jewett, National Council of Jewish Women

Rev. Dr. Timothy M. Johnson, Pastor, Cherokee Park United Church, St. Paul

Sally B. Jorgensen, Minneapolis

Mary Junge, member, First Universalist Church, Minneapolis

Sue and Dick Kaufman, New Brighton

Rev. Kathleen George Kearney, Unitarian Universalist, Minneapolis

Rev. Dr. John H. Kemp, United Church of Christ, Duluth

Janet Keysser, Golden Valley

Mary Klonoski, member, First Congregational Church of MN, United Church of Christ, Bloomington

Mary Ellen and Stuart Knappmiller

Carol Koepp, Social Justice Committee, First Unitarian Society, Minneapolis

Maureen Kucera-Walsh

Rebecca Laton, Alexandria

Karen Law, Minneapolis

Bernice Lawson, Big Lake

Sarah Lawton, Fosston/Erskine United Methodist Churches

Eileen Levin, Minneapolis

Rose Levin, Minneapolis

Rev. Walter Lockhart IV, Walker Community United Methodist Church, Minneapolis

Ann McBean, First Universalist Church, Minneapolis

Marc A. Markell, member, Mayflower Community Congregational United Church of Christ

Rev. Eily Marlow, Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area

Jennifer Martin, Plymouth

Elizabeth Merz, Fergus Falls

Hannah Mitchell, Minneapolis

Susan Morem, Minneapolis

Nancy Massman, Groveland Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, St. Paul

Gloria Murman, Temple Israel, Minneapolis

Cynthia Nast, member, First Unitarian Society, Minneapolis

Cheryl Nordquist, member, Robbinsdale United Church of Christ

Rev. Diane C. Olson

Sally and George Pillsbury, Wayzata

Harry Pontiff, member, First Universalist Church, Minneapolis

Kathie Power-O'Brien, MA, MTH, Plymouth

Joyce Prudden, United Methodist Women, Minnesota

Josephine Ringgenberg, Plymouth Presbyterian Church, Plymouth

Rev. Meg Riley, Unitarian Universalist Association

Rev. T. Michael Rock, Robbinsdale United Church of Christ

Rev. Ann Romanczuk, Unitarian Universalist Association

Kiely Todd Roska, member, United Church of Christ in New Brighton

Robert Rouda, member, Mt. Zion Hebrew Congregation, Roseville

Sandy Scott, Minneapolis Christian

Rev. Dr. Christine M. Smith, Cherokee Park United Church, St. Paul

Jeanette M. Smith, member, Buffalo UU Fellowship, Monticello

Rev. Victoria Safford, White Bear Unitarian Universalist Church, Mahtomedi

Pat Sandin, Midwest Health Center for Women, Minneapolis

Rabbi Jared Saks, Temple Israel, Minneapolis

Barbara Schmiechen, Linden Hills United of Church of Christ, Minneapolis

Rev. Daniel R. Schmiechen, Linden Hills United Church of Christ, Minneapolis

Rev. Justin Schroeder, First Universalist Church, Minneapolis

Mary Severson, St. Anthony

Rabbi Marion Shulevitz, Rabbinical Assembly of the Conservative Movement

Rev. Karen Smith Sellers, Mayflower Community Congregational United Church of Christ, Minneapolis

Lucy Suits, member, Prospect Park United Methodist Church, Minneapolis

Joyce Sutherland, First Universalist Church, Minneapolis

Terre Thomas, Fairy Godmother

Rev. Kate Tucker, First Universalist Church, Minneapolis

Michelle van Ryn, Edina

Rev. Kay Welsch, United Church of Christ in New Brighton

Ardis Wexler, Edina

Mary Mills Wilson, Unity Church-Unitarian, St. Paul

Ann Wyse, Monticello

Lisa Tetsugan Zummach, BSW Candidate, St. Catherine University