Washington DC -- Twenty-nine institutional members of the Franciscan Action Network recently committed their Franciscan provinces and congregations to the cause of significant health care reform legislation in the 111th Congress. 

The letter's text and the list of signatores follows.  A copy of the letter in PDF format can be found here.

For other Franciscan and Franciscan-hearted institutions interested in participating in this endeavor or in FAN civic engagement on health care reform, please contact the FAN Action Center.

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September 2009

Dear Members of Congress and Senators,

We write to you as leadership from the Franciscan Family in the United States.  Many of the men and women whom we lead and the persons whom we serve are engaged in the ministry of health care.  In addition, thousands of Franciscans  in their daily  ministry provide a healing presence to all who struggle and are afflicted by the wounds of poverty and injustice.

We urge the 111th Congress to pass sustainable health care reform.  We find it unacceptable that our country has over 47 million people without access to insurance, that people endure the hardship of the risk of losing insurance, and that health care is becoming increasingly more expensive and inefficient. 

18. 3% of all Catholic Hospitals in the United States are sponsored by Franciscans, not to mention the untold thousands of Franciscans who care for the sick.  We heartily support the attached statement provided by the Catholic Health Association of the United States of America which advocates for health care reform that promotes
• Human Dignity
• Concern for the Poor and the Vulnerable
• Policies that Exercise Justice
• Policies that Promote the Common Good
• Policies that Encourage Stewardship of Health Care
• Policies that Reflect Pluralism

As Franciscans we add our passion to care for the outcast and a faith grounded in the charitable stewardship of life.

We know that the issues related to health care reform are many and complicated.  Nevertheless we want to affirm that the reform to the health care system in caring for the most needy will advance the common good and make our nation stronger.

We appreciate the seriousness that you demonstrate in this matter and urge that your forward determination may mark a positive critical difference in the lives of those who suffer.

Peace and Goodness in the spirit of Francis and Clare of Assisi

Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, New York
Sisters of St. Francis of Clinton, Iowa
Franciscan Friars (OFM) St. John the Baptist Province
Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception
Wheaton Franciscans-Daughters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary
Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Franciscan Sisters of St. Paul Minn.
Conventual Franciscan Friars Province of Our Lady of Consolation
Province of St. Joseph of the Capuchin Order
Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration
Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg Indiana
Santa Barbara Province of OFM Franciscans
Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity, Holy Name Province
Franciscan Sisters of the Poor, Cincinnati, Ohio 
Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity HealthCare Ministry, INC
Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph, Hamburg, New York
Province of St. Mary of the Capuchin Order
The Third Order, Province of St. Mary, Society of St. Francis
Sisters of St. Francis, Tiffin, Ohio
Franciscan Sisters of Peace, Haverstraw, NY
Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls Minnesota
Bernardine Franciscan Sisters
Franciscan Friars of the Holy Name Province
Franciscan Friars, TOR, Province of the Immaculate Conception
Franciscan Sisters of the Poor,  Brooklyn NY
Congregation of St. Felix
Franciscans of  the Sacred Heart Province
School Sisters of St. Francis U.S. Province
Province (OFM ) of  Our Lady of Guadalupe

(list updated as of September 1, 2009)