In response to full-court presidential press and Commanding accusations, Fran Maier writes:

It’s quite true that some people will resist any kind of healthcare reform for bad motives—just as some people will support it, for equally misleading or manipulative reasons. But “healthcare reform” can legitimately mean different things to different people. It can be achieved in different ways. Catholic social doctrine does not mandate any particular legislative approach to solving our current healthcare problems. And impugning motives and calling people names simply because they challenge a proposed public policy—which is now the signature tactic of too many supporters of the current administration—is a form of lying. It destroys serious democratic debate.
A survey sponsored by the U.S. Catholic bishops in mid-September found that American adults, by a two to one margin, favor “reform to provide affordable health insurance for all.” Sixty-eight percent do not want abortion coverage in their own policy—whether public or private. Sixty-three percent favor keeping conscience protection laws in place.
The U.S. Catholic community and their bishops have supported sensible healthcare reform for decades. That remains true—but not at any cost. The Catholic Church has offered guidelines for moral healthcare reform that are simple, clear, and easily accessible to elected officials and citizens alike. President Obama has the prestige and leadership skill within his own party to insist that these guidelines be hardwired into any legislation.
Three weeks ago, the president spoke powerfully about his plan for healthcare reform. Three weeks later, we’re still waiting. Speaking to the nation as well as to Congress, he stressed, quite appropriately, that “if you [critics] misrepresent what’s in the plan, we will call you out.”
Fair enough. But of course, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. It’s time for Catholics to “call out” the White House to deliver on what it promised.