Bishop Morlino on "The World Over"

Bp. Morlino of Madison, WI, was on TWO with Ray Arroyo last night. His discussion was rather disappointing. He prefaced his remarks with the fact that he is not elected in any position to represent the USCCB. But, he was stuck on the 4 talking points about healthcare reform that the USCCB has put out, which really don't tell us much. He was also stuck on covering immigrants. He finally agreed, after repeated questioning from Ray, that this is an area of prudential judgment. Bp. Morlino talked about the possibility of setting up clinics to free up emergency rooms for emergencies.

No one is stopping Catholic hospital groups from doing this. Indeed, St E's has set up 2 "urgent care" facilities which take care of less severe needs in O'Fallon and Waterloo. Yet, I think the purpose is the geographic reach in that case. I recall walk-in clinics like this in Springfield, IL, and NoVa, when I lived in both places. As a young woman who didn't have a regular GP, I found them helpful and convenient on Saturdays and evenings. I guess they didn't make enough money. They seem to have gone by the wayside.

Bp. Morlino did acknowledge the idea of subsidiarity, but didn't have anything to say about whether a federal public option was a problem. He must not think so, which concerns me. He also did emphasize that the USCCB has not endorsed any bill in Congress. Even with Stupak, Morlino noted that the bill does not address the conscience or elder care concerns.

Ray didn't ask him whether he thought it just for the Congress to pass a law imposing jail time for those who do not purchase insurance, an extraordinary mandate in this formerly free nation.

As I said, talking points, generalities, little to no concern about federal control over families' rights. No outrage over the House bill.