Health institutions and governments should “not neglect social justice out of preoccupation for financial concerns” and should instead ensure access to health, Pope Francis said in his annual papal message for the World Day of the Sick.
On their own, Francis’s comments seem unremarkable. But given his past comments on healthcare, the system in which it’s provided, and its “systemic tendency toward growing inequality,” it seems Francis is slowly edging toward endorsing a government-mandated, comprehensive system, the likes of which has been proposed by leftists in the United States.
Indeed, Bernie Sanders, author of the Medicare for All legislation, was the only 2016 presidential candidate invited to speak to the Vatican at the behest of Bishop Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo, who stated that Sanders’s political views “are very analogous to that of the pope.”
Francis’s position on substantive legislation remains ambiguous and intentionally so. Popes tend to avoid direct political involvement. But his suggestion that governments should do more to ensure access might encourage progressive thinking, justifying universal coverage systems such as “Medicare for all.”
This would be both misguided and counterproductive. The “Medicare for all” proposal would hurt more people than it helped. Logistically, a government-run program in the U.S. would likely increase wait times, reduce access to care, and disrupt current access, according to a report by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.
In theory, of course, “Medicare for all” is the ideal standard. But practically applied, it would be both a logistical and moral disaster. Many of the conservative arguments against “Medicare for all” focus on its cost — something Pope Francis cares little about. After all, if it’s a moral imperative, shouldn’t we be willing to give whatever it takes?
The problem is that universal coverage would do more than just raise taxes and premium prices. It would severely limit the access that millions currently depend on. And consolidating the entire healthcare system under the government’s umbrella would undoubtedly lead to corruption, manipulation, and ultimately deprivation at the hands of big government.
The healthcare system America has is by no means perfect. It desperately needs reform. But it should go without saying that assigning the government more responsibility, as Francis suggested, is not the answer. Instead, we should follow the Catholic Church’s example and take upon ourselves the responsibility of the well-being and care of our neighbors and friends.
Indeed, the Catholic Church has been a pioneer in this field. With thousands of established Catholic hospitals, the church is now the largest nongovernmental provider of healthcare services in the world. Many of its clinics are more accessible and more efficient than any government-run clinic would be. And many of these same Catholic hospitals would be put out of business if the U.S. were to adopt universal healthcare coverage — or they would at least be forced to cover services that contradict church teachings, if the Democratic Party had its way.
Moral dilemmas don’t always have obvious political solutions. Francis’s sentiment is understandable and even respectable. But someone ought to make sure the Pope understands that, under the American Left’s vision for healthcare, there cannot be any Catholic hospitals. No amount of social justice could possibly be worth that.
