Today on Kresta - March 22, 2010

Talking about the Things That Matter Most on Mar. 22

The US House of Representatives voted 219-212 just before midnight last night to approve the $940-billion Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act after the White House and pro-life Democrats agreed on the language of an executive order. The executive order will purportedly state that “longstanding Federal laws remain intact and new protections prohibit discrimination against health care facilities and health care providers because of an unwillingness to provide, pay for, provide coverage of, or refer for abortions.” Richard Doerflinger, associate director of the US bishops’ secretariat of pro-life activities, says, “Unfortunately, this proposal does not begin to address the problem, which arises from decades of federal appellate rulings that apply the principles of Roe v. Wade to federal health legislation. Only a change in the law enacted by Congress, not an executive order, can begin to address this very serious problem in the legislation.” We spend this edition of “Kresta in the Afternoon” analyzing the bill which will be signed tomorrow by President Obama. Guests include Leonard Nelson, Deal Hudson, Marjorie Dannenfelser, Kristen Day, Mary Harned, Fr. Frank Pavone, and YOU. We look at the abortion aspect, economic impact, politics, and immediate impact of it all. Be with us.

4:00 p.m.   Kresta Comments

4:20 p.m.   Diagnosis Critical: The Urgent Threats Confronting Catholic Health Care

4:30 p.m.   The Political Impact

4:40 p.m.   Direct to My Desk

5:00 p.m.   Is “Pro-Life Democrat” Realistic Phrase?

5:20 p.m.   Health Care: Cue Up The Legal Fights

5:30 p.m.   Pavone: “It’s Our Move”

5:40 p.m.   Direct to My Desk