For years we have worked in collaboration toward a new vision for health care in this country, for health care coverage and access for everyone. This is an important day for all Americans but especially for those persons who are uninsured. Passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act (H.R. 3590) and the accompanying corrections bill is an historic accomplishment. This law will help extend quality health care coverage to 32 million Americans and contains important insurance market reforms. The measure offers real health care solutions while respecting the dignity of life.

The Sisters of Charity Health System has monitored this process closely and will continue to proactively work toward improved access as the provisions of the law take effect. We will join with other health care providers to monitor the sustainability of this plan into the future and will remain engaged as health care delivery system changes are implemented.

As a family of Ohio and South Carolina healing ministires, with this new law, we look forward to promoting prevention and wellness. We join in the effort to end health disparities, while also encouraging prompt coverage for those without insurance and supporting access to care, which includes the preservation of strong reimbursement for providers.

May God bless our nation as we journey on this new health care path.

The Sisters of Charity Health System (SCHS) is an official partner of the U.S. Census Bureau this year; the healthcare system’s primary objective is to promote participation in the census to low income Northeast Ohioans to ensure the group is accurately represented in the upcoming 2010 census.

The Sisters of Charity Health System is spreading the word about the importance of the census and availability of questionnaires amongst its employees, patients and the communities it serves.

Census data is not only used to apportion seats in the U.S. House of Representatives amongst states, it directly affects how the more than $400 billion per year in federal funding is allocated to communities for neighborhood improvements, public health, education, transportation and more.

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