Catholic Health Association Urges Congress to Fund the Government to Protect the Social Safety Net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 27, 2025
Contact: Marie Johnson

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA) President and CEO Sr. Mary Haddad, RSM, issued the following statement on the government shutdown.

"Today marks the 27^th day that Americans have waited for Congress to come together and pass a funding bill. Essential programs that millions of families rely on, such as SNAP, are at risk. Missed paychecks and growing financial strain are forcing many to make tough choices about food, housing, and health care.

Catholic social teaching calls us to uphold human dignity and care for the common good. Congress must act now, in a spirit of solidarity, to reach a bipartisan agreement that protects the vulnerable, strengthens the social safety net, and advances critical health priorities-such as maintaining access to telehealth and extending vital health care tax credits."

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The Catholic Health Association of the United States is the national leadership organization of the Catholic health ministry, representing the largest nonprofit provider of health care services in the nation.

• 1 in 7 patients in the U.S. is cared for in a Catholic hospital each day.
• Catholic health care, which includes more than 2,200 hospitals, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, systems, sponsors, and related organizations, serves the full continuum of health care across our nation.