• Collaborated with the Health Care Right of Conscience Working Group (founded by CMF in 2001) in the December passage of the Hyde-Weldon anti- discrimination amendment (also known as the Abortion Non Discrimination Act (ANDA). This legislation says state and local governments that receive federal funds may not discriminate against health care providers and companies that refuse to perform, pay for, provide for abortions or make abortion referrals.
• CMF spearheaded for the very first time in the history of the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program (FEHBP), a faith-based, high deductible/health savings plan which, was rolled out to federal employees in south central and northwestern Illinois by the Order of St. Francis (OSF), November 8, 2004 for the 2005 plan year. CMF is very optimistic about the success of this program in 2005.
• CMF Executive Director, Mike O'Dea collaborated with the Catholic Medical Association (CMA) Task Force in preparing a special report on "Catholic Healthcare in America". He was also selected to be moderator for the September 25 morning session of the 73rd Annual Conference, "The Vocation of Medicine: A Catholic Program for Renewal", where this report was presented for the first time.
• Along with Phyllis Berry Myers, Executive Director of the Centre for New Black Leadership; Dr. Robert Moffit, Director of the Heritage Foundation's Center for Health Policy Studies, CMF's Executive Director, Mike O'Dea, co-authored the paper "Why It's Time for Faith Based-Health Plans" on June 24, 2004.
• CMF collaborated with the Michigan Catholic Conference (MCC) and testified in support of Michigan Health Care Conscience Act Right of Conscience to protect discriminating against health care providers and companies that refuse to perform, pay for, provide for, or make referrals for procedures that violate the freedom to exercise right of conscience. Although this legislation overwhelmingly passed in the House on April 21, it was abruptly reversed in a Senate hearing and withdrawn from consideration.
• Continued to gain momentum with Bishops and Catholic Health Care professionals on the urgent need to reclaim control of financing and protect health care right of conscience by establishing authentic Catholic Health Care Plans and Medical Centers.

• Continue to provide consultations to the Health Care Right of Conscience Working Group that meets in Washington, DC and expand conscience legislation that threatens the dignity of every human person in both the private and public sector (abortion, euthanasia, contraception, cloning, sterilization, invitro-fertilization, artificial insemination, the undermining of parental rights over their children's medical information).
• Expand health plans similar to the OSF HealthPlan in 2006 to federal employees nationwide and to employees in the private market. In addition to its "culture of life" content, this plan is economically compelling and has no "culture of death" procedures.
• Continue to collaborate with the Catholic Medical Association in educating health care professionals and religious leaders on the need for financing in health care that is value based and patient/physician centered. CMF has the specific goal of working together with the CMA in formulating an association Catholic health plan (similar to the OSF HealthPlan design) for the uninsured, self employed, small business, and individuals and families.
• Coordinate health care seminars with the Heritage Foundation that will encourage the establishment of nationwide Ethical Health Plans, Association Health Plans (AHP) legislation to pre-empt state mandates, and a National Committee that will educate grass root Americans on the need to protect freedom and conscience in health care.
• Join forces with Michigan Right to Life to educate, re-introduce and pass Health Care Right of Conscience legislation that will protect medical providers, physicians, pharmacists, and payers from subsidizing and cooperating in the evil of abortion, contraception, sterilization, assisted suicide and euthanasia.
• Continue educating Bishops on the need for nationwide authentic Catholic Health Care Plans and Medical Centers, to reform S-CHIP and implement AUL Model State Health Care Right of Conscience legislation.

Major Criteria for Christian Health Insurance: National program totally committed to healing and spreading the Gospel of Life created by or for Catholic Dioceses Critical mass (the people of God beginning with the local dioceses) Plan design consistent with Catholic morality and economic justice Administration under Catholic control Risk reduction spread over large numbers Conscience clause protecting religious freedom in health insurance for all employers, employees, individuals and health care providers

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The dimensions of Christus Medicus... Vowed religious, Christian health care professionals, and business executives, must provide leadership to overcome the barriers to developing and providing Christian health insurance: Spiritual Provide direction regarding God's will for Christian decision making Educational Inform Catholic and Evangelical leaders of the need for truly Christian health plans anchored in the Catholic Catechism and the Ethical and Religious Directives of Catholic Healthcare Inform pro-life and pro-family organizations on the need for legislation that gives employers and employees the opportunity to choose health insurance that aids and heals and never harms Relational Promote the cooperation of Bishops and other Christian leaders to provide access to the people of God, the proponents and beneficiaries of Christian health insurance Financial Help Christians to redirect premium dollars that currently fuel evil to health insurance reflecting a "culture of life" Don't Be Forced to Allow Health Insurance in Your State and in Your Company to Subsidize Abortion!   CONTACT MIKE O'DEA NOW!