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Regarding the July 6 article "U.S. Bishops urge fixes to Affordable Care Act," the bishops like to remind us that for many years they have been strong advocates for health care for all people. So what results do they have to show for their efforts? The bishops opposed the passage of the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act (ACA) because it didn't match their concept of a perfect theology. Apparently, they think that letting many people go without health care is the "lesser of the evils" included in the ACA. But what they see as evil is not shared by the majority of people who support the ACA. One view of theology will never prevail in a pluralistic democracy, and continuing to insist on it will not benefit those in need of health care.

It might be good for the bishops to re-read Luke's account of the Good Samaritan, which gives us Jesus' view on how health care should work. The priest didn't help the victim, nor did the Levite, apparently for cultural and religious reasons. But the Samaritan did help the victim with no questions asked, even though there were theological differences between Samaritans and Jews. "Go and do likewise," Jesus says.

Furthermore, the controversy over freedom of conscience is yet another stumbling block to providing adequate preventative services. If we really believe in freedom of conscience, then let's trust committed Catholics to choose to follow the teachings of the Church. It is somewhat of an insult to be told that we can't be trusted to not use artificial birth control even though it is offered for everyone.

Urging fine tuning of the ACA is reasonable advocacy on the part of the bishops; continuing to oppose landmark health care reform will only result in more victims left by the roadside.

Kenneth Schammel lives in Cornelius.