WASHINGTON — “As Congress continues to work towards budget reconciliation legislation, we implore them to protect programs such as Medicaid and SNAP and to expand the Child Tax Credit (CTC) to the most vulnerable children,” said Archbishop Borys Gudziak, chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, and asserted that the Catholic Church’s closeness to the poor informs its advocacy efforts. He was joined by Sister Mary Haddad, RSM, president and CEO of the Catholic Health Association of the United States, and Kerry Alys Robinson, president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, as they underscored their message to lawmakers on the importance of Medicaid and other policies essential to families’ ability to meet basic human needs.

“This Lent, we read the call to turn back to the Lord from the Prophet Isaiah, ‘Make justice your aim.’ (Is. 1:17). It is for the sake of justice that the Catholic Church is committed to providing comfort, hope, and relief to those who are poor and suffering. Catholic Charities agencies and Catholic hospitals, long-term care facilities, and clinics in dioceses across the country encounter our most vulnerable neighbors with dignity and provide food, shelter, counseling, healthcare, education, training, and other services. The Church’s closeness to the poor informs our advocacy. We know first-hand that families are struggling. Medicaid, SNAP, the Child Tax Credit, and other policies are essential to helping many families meet basic human needs. As Congress continues to work towards budget reconciliation legislation, we implore them to protect programs such as Medicaid and SNAP and to expand the CTC to the most vulnerable children. Tax cuts that largely favor wealthier persons should not be made possible through cuts to healthcare and food for families struggling to make ends meet. The final budget reconciliation package should provide relief to low-income families and should not place additional burdens on those who are struggling. In responding to Isaiah’s call for justice, action is urgently needed: ‘Come now, let us set things right, says the Lord’ (Is. 1:18).”