March 11, 2009 - The controversy is growing over the decision of Caritas Christi to seek a state contract as a health insurance provider in a program which includes abortion coverage. A story by Michael Paulson in today's Boston Globe contains revealing information about the refusal of Caritas Christi to either specifically affirm Catholic moral teaching or candidly explain the provisions of the Commonwealth Care contract.

Paulson wrote: "Caritas has repeatedly refused to answer questions from the Globe about the proposal. Yesterday, the hospital network declined to say what services are prohibited under Catholic teaching, how the Caritas hospitals currently respond to patients who seek such prohibited services, or how Caritas proposes to handle requests for such services under the Centene deal. The state contract requires that the venture provide coverage for abortion."

Paulson also wrote on the Globe website today: "…we have repeatedly attempted to get Caritas to explain how the arrangement would work. Caritas, which has at least two communications people in-house and a crisis p.r. consultant too, has thus far refused to offer any explanation, not only of the proposal, but also of current practice at the chain’s six hospitals."

The Catholic Action League called the Globe's findings "a startling indictment, from an unexpected source, confirming our worst fears."

Catholic Action League Executive Director C. J. Doyle stated: "Everything we need to know about the Caritas Christi/Centene Corporation partnership and its deal with Commonwealth Care was apparent in this morning's Globe. Caritas, which refuses to release the names of its board of governors, won't even publicly say how it handles requests for abortions now -- without the requirements of a state contract."

"If Caritas actually intended to accept tax dollars while evading state demands for abortion coverage, every voice on the political left would be raised against it -- in the media, in the Legislature, and among the advocacy groups. Instead, we have heard nothing but silence from the usual adversaries of the Church."

"It staggers the imagination that anyone can seriously believe the assertions by the Archdiocese of Boston about Caritas and abortion. The only solution is for Caritas to withdraw from the contract."

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