Ministry leaders speaking on "Signs of the Times, Signs of Hope," the theme of the 2014 Catholic Health Assembly, pointed to two resounding reasons to be enthusiastic about the future during their annual meeting here in June: the papacy of Pope Francis, who has a love of the poor, and the fact that millions of people in the U.S. gained insurance coverage this year through the Affordable Care Act. CHA Chairperson Alan Yordy told the assembly that the ministry can celebrate the first major expansion of Medicaid since its inception in 1967, but it can’t be complacent. "This year we must take the lead as those who care most about the least, and make sure that Medicaid continues to expand sustainably. We need to be a voice for the safety net," he said.
Assembly attendees took a break from the formal meeting to cheer on the U.S. soccer team during the 2014 World Cup; and they donned blue sun hats for a chartered boat ride on the Chicago River hosted by Chicago-based Presence Health.
Sr. Carol Keehan, DC, CHA's president and chief executive officer, invited ministry members to Washington, DC, next year for CHA's centennial celebration at the 2015 Catholic Health Assembly.
Photos by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
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