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Briefing — Ethical Health Care

May-June 2004

"Ethics and Catholic Health Care" is the title of this issue's special section. Our guest editor is Scott A. McConnaha, a communications specialist whose primary beat here at CHA is ethics and mission services. Because Scott describes the section in an introductory note, there's no need to say more about it here. However, readers may find "Who Cares about Ethics?" a question-and-answer session with ethicists and executives, particularly interesting.

Democracy and Health Care
Health Progress is especially happy to publish "An Opportunity for Civic Leadership" by Ann Neale, PhD. Dr. Neale, whose name will be familiar to many of our readers, argues that early 21st-century America faces two large social problems. The nation clearly needs affordable, accessible health care for all. But it also needs to find a way to reconnect disaffected citizens to the political process. A movement to solve the first problem might also help solve the second, Dr. Neale suggests. And, she continues, as it happens the Catholic health ministry is poised to lead that movement.

The Ministry in Canada
In 2002-2003 the Catholic Health Association of Canada (CHAC) convened what it called a "National Dialogue" on the future of the ministry in that nation. The Dialogue was cosponsored by the national bishops' organization, sponsors of Catholic facilities, Catholic social service agencies, Catholic health associations in the provinces, lay people's organizations, and other ministry partners. In "A Shared Vision of the Future," Richard M. Haughian, DTh, the CHAC's president, describes the Dialogue and its results. Health Progress is proud to publish Dr. Haughian's report.

 

 

Briefing - Ethical Health Care

Copyright © 2004 by the Catholic Health Association of the United States

For reprint permission, contact Betty Crosby or call (314) 253-3490.