The future of health care is on the line as Congress debates repealing the Affordable Care Act. (WNYC File Photo)

WASHINGTON, DC - As Congress discusses a repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act, the Chair of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, is urging members of the House and Senate to provide a replacement plan concurrently so that millions of Americans will continue to have access to vital health care.

In a letter sent to members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate on Jan. 18, 2017, Bishop Dewane wrote that repealing the ACA should not be undertaken without simultaneous passage of a replacement plan that will continue healthcare access for those who rely on it for their well-being. At the same time, the letter also underscores the importance of creating a replacement plan that will safeguard human life from conception to natural death and also protect conscience rights and adequate healthcare services for the poor including healthcare for immigrants.  

The full text of the letter sent to the U.S. Senate/U.S. House of Representatives is available online.