Just Politics

Does the church support universal health care? - A crossover episode with Glad You Asked

According to several recent studies of health care systems across the globe, the U.S. health care system lags far behind those in other developed nations. The system is more expensive per person, but also for the nation as a whole. This high cost doesn't translate into good access, high quality, or favorable outcomes. Many in the nation have no insurance at all, and many can't find a primary care provider, or access much beyond basic emergency care. Our very expensive system does not do well at preventing death, either. Skyrocketing insurance costs are likely to make matters worse, leaving more people uninsured, and dying for lack of care. It is likely to create a ripple effect, as high health care costs will increase food insecurity and exacerbate the homelessness crisis. These effects may even touch those who are comfortably well-off, as more care facilities close due to lack of funds. Activists, lobbyists, policy-makers, and analysts have been calling for some form of universal care for Americans for decades, to bring us in line with the less expensive and more equitable systems in other nations. But what should Catholics think about this question? Would universal health care access be in line with Catholic social teaching? What would a truly just health care system look like? This episode of Just Politics is a collaboration with the Glad You Asked podcast. Sister of the Humility of Mary Eilis McCulloh, one of the Just Politics hosts, talks here with U.S. Catholic editors Emily Sanna and Rebecca Bratten Weiss about Catholic teaching on health care. Glad You Asked brings in theologians, activists, scholars, and other experts to tackle a range of questions about Catholicism that don't have easy, obvious answers. You can learn more about this topic in these links: International Comparison of Health Systems [https://www.kff.org/global-health-policy/health-policy-101-international-comparison-of-health-systems/?entry=table-of-contents-introduction] How does the quality of the U.S. health system compare to other countries? [https://www.healthsystemtracker.org/chart-collection/quality-u-s-healthcare-system-compare-countries/] Mirror, Mirror 2024: A Portrait of the Failing U.S. Health System [https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/fund-reports/2024/sep/mirror-mirror-2024] "Kristen Whitney Daniels on why health care access is a matter of faith and justice," [https://uscatholic.org/articles/202507/kristen-whitney-daniels-on-why-health-care-access-is-a-matter-of-faith-and-justice/] Just Politics "As the inauguration approaches, U.S. health care is on the line," [https://uscatholic.org/articles/202412/as-the-inauguration-approaches-u-s-health-care-is-on-the-line/] by Kevin Clarke Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries USA, a congregation of Catholic priests and brothers who live and work with the most vulnerable among us. To learn more, visit claretians.org [https://claretians.org/].

Laura Peralta-Schulte – Threats to Medicaid

As Medicaid faces severe cuts in the federal budget that will take health care away from millions of people, Laura Peralta-Schulte, head of NETWORK's government relations team, discusses the life-saving importance of the program for its 60th anniversary. The program, which emerged as part of President Lyndon Johnson's efforts to help people in the United States not just survive but thrive and which expanded greatly under the health care reforms under President Barack Obama, is now under serious threat. Peralta-Schulte discusses why this is not just a matter of policy for Catholics, but a human right under Catholic teaching, as well as an echo of Jesus' healing mission. By this standard, cuts that will take away health care from over 10 million people over the next decade are a moral failure of a very high degree. She calls on all justice-seekers of all background to join NETWORK in the legislative push to roll back these immoral tax cuts and restore health coverage to millions of people who rely on the saving care made available to them by Medicaid. Join in the work of promoting Catholic Social Justice in federal policy by becoming a member of NETWORK [https://networklobby.org/becomeamember/].

Laurie Carafone - A new chapter for NETWORK

This week on Just Politics, hosts Eilis and Colin welcome Laurie Carafone, NETWORK's new executive director. She comes to the world of Catholic social justice advocacy from Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), where she worked to protect unaccompanied children and advocate for their asylum. Carafone's path began with a formative year working with an asylum attorney, where she witnessed the life-and-death stakes facing asylum seekers. After law school at the University of Michigan and a masters degree in theological studies from Harvard Divinity School, she spent over a decade at KIND, ultimately leading their U.S. legal programs. She was drawn to NETWORK, she says, by the organization's origin story of 47 sisters recognizing that federal policy could create a scaled positive impact, as well as NETWORK's commitment to coalition building. She takes on the role of executive director at a perilous time in U.S. politics, especially regarding the treatment of immigrants. Recorded during just her second week on the job, this conversation offers insights into NETWORK's new leadership as we enter an exciting new chapter of advocacy work. LINKS: NETWORK welcomes Laurie Carafone as new executive director https://networklobby.org/news/7725-carafone-ed/ [https://networklobby.org/news/7725-carafone-ed/]

Michael Steele - Bridging the Catholic political divide

This week on Just Politics, host Joan Neal returns to the interview chair for something that is becoming less and less common: an honest political conversation with someone who has strongly different views. Joan interviews prominent political figure and former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, who currently serves as an MSNBC political analyst. This episode highlights the diversity within the Catholic world on political issues: Both Neal and Steele are Black Catholics with similar backgrounds who have nevertheless arrived at vastly different perspectives on government, economics, and Catholic social teaching. Steele shares his personal journey navigating the often tumultuous landscape, where belief systems and political ideologies collide, and explains how his Catholic faith has shaped his political career, influenced his decisions, and guided him through challenges. Despite stark differences, both engage in constructive dialogue, demonstrating that meaningful conversation across political divides remains possible. As Joan notes, "We will never move forward on our vision of establishing a more perfect union until we can move past this extreme division." Join us for this insightful conversation that explores the power of conviction and the role of faith in shaping political landscapes, offering practical wisdom for navigating our polarized moment. LINKS: https://networklobby.org/economy-for-all-agenda/ [https://networklobby.org/economy-for-all-agenda/]

Giovana Oaxaca - Faith communities unite for immigration advocacy

This week on Just Politics, Giovana Oaxaca, the senior government relations advocate for immigration with NETWORK, joins hosts Colin and Eilis to discuss the escalating immigration crisis facing communities nationwide. This episode was recorded in the immediate aftermath of the budget reconciliation bill's passage, which Oaxaca calls a "deportation bill," one that will also decimate the social safety net programs many people rely on. The conversation tackles harsh realities, from detention camps in the Florida Everglades to terrorizing enforcement raids in Los Angeles. But Oaxaca also highlights stories of hope: organizers building solidarity in unlikely places, pastors providing sanctuary, and transformative conversations across political divides. Inspired by Pope Leo XIV's call to be "leaven of unity in a fractured world," Oaxaca challenges us to move beyond fear toward authentic engagement, emphasizing finding common ground through shared values of human dignity. LINKS: https://networklobby.org/issues/immigration/ [https://networklobby.org/issues/immigration/] https://networklobby.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/An-Economy-for-All-One-pager.pdf [https://networklobby.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/An-Economy-for-All-One-pager.pdf]