Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy and Providence Bishop Thomas J. Tobin have agreed to meet on Nov. 12 to discuss legislation to retool the nation's medical system, and abortion-related aspects of the measure that have embroiled the two in a heated public debate.

In an interview about two weeks ago, Kennedy sharply attacked the nation's Catholic bishops for their opposition to the health-care bill, based on the view -- disputed by supporters of the legislation -- that it would lead to taxpayer financing of abortion. "If the church is pro-life, then they ought to be for health-care reform because it's going to provide health care that is going to keep people alive,'' said Kennedy, who generally supports abortion rights. (He opposes the procedure known to opponents as "partial birth'' abortion.)

Tobin called Kennedy's remarks "irresponsible and ignorant of the facts,'' noting that the church has long supported health-care reform -- a point that the Rhode Island Democrat later conceded in a letter to the bishop. Kennedy said, however, that his disagreement with the church on abortion doesn't make him "any less of a Catholic.''

Tobin, for his part, invited Kennedy to sit down to discuss the issue and said in an interview that he meant no insult in his comments about the congressman. Tobin's office said Tuesday that they plan to meet at 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 12 at a location still to be determined.

Meanwhile in Washington, the House debate on the Democratic leadership health-care bill introduced last week has been delayed, in part because of the opposition of a group of Democrats who oppose abortion and fear that the legislation would lead to taxpayer subsidies of the procedure. Kennedy and other supporters of the bill assert that it would provide no such subsidies, but House leaders are attempting to negotiate a compromise on language addressing the abortion question.

Rhode Island Rep. James R. Langevin, an anti-abortion Democrat who has agreed with the bill's supporters that it would not promote abortion subsidies, said Wednesday that he is optimistic that the two sides can agree on a deal to make it clearer.

``We're not there yet,'' Langevin said

 Tags  abortion health care Kennedy Langevin Tobin

Comments

Forever Aggravated said:

Becareful Bishop. H He has never worked a day in his life. He has not had an original thought nor an original idea to acomplish anything. If it wasnt for his last name he would have to get a life.
You can be sure that he hasnt read the health care proposed by Pelosi.
The fact that his father died may force him to step up and be his own man. We can only open.

Link | November 3, 2009 7:08 PM
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Sanjay said:

What does the Catholic Church know? Patrick Kennedy is the tru Pro Lifer. People need Free Health Care. Why would anyone be against Free Health Care? The Church does not have to pay for it. The Government will take care of us and Patrick is leading the way. My vote is for Patrick!!

Link | November 3, 2009 7:59 PM
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Mark said:

Until the church starts paying taxes like the rest of us, they should mind their own damn business and stay out of political debates. Keep your preaching in your church Bishop

Link | November 3, 2009 8:03 PM
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Liz said:

And whatever happened to the separation of church and state?!

Link | November 4, 2009 10:44 AM
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Leo said:

Not to get off the main subject, but Sanjay hit below the belt.
He may be the 15% of the people that doesn't have health care, but the 85% that work and do will be paying 15% to 18% of their taxable wages to pay for his health care. HOW IRONIC!

Link | November 4, 2009 11:53 AM
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