Position Papers
Statement on Emergency Contraception in Cases of Rape
The trauma of rape is severe, and so often results in an unplanned pregnancy. Compassion must be provided to the victim who has been raped, but at the same time, be mindful a human life may have been conceived and cannot be attacked or destroyed. Compassion, support, and understanding should always be offered by medical... Read More
POLST Paradigm and Form
This white paper, prepared by a working group of the Catholic Medical Association, provides a commentary on a new type of end-of-life document called a POLST form (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) as well as on its model (or “paradigm”) for implementation across the United States. This white paper, prepared by a working group of... Read More
Resolutions of the CMA General Assembly 2012
On September 28, 2012, the General Assembly of the Catholic Medical Association approved two important resolutions: one on the importance of traditional marriage for the well being of children and the second on opposing the HHS mandate. On September 28, 2012, the General Assembly of the Catholic Medical Association approved the following two resolutions: 1.... Read More
Clarifying Church Teaching on End of Life Treatment and Care
In the February 13, 2009, issue of Commonweal, seven directors of bioethics programs at Jesuit universities (the Consortium of Jesuit Bioethics Programs) discussed their understanding of recent magisterial teaching regarding artificial nutrition and hydration (typically called ANH). The Catholic Medical Association responded to some questionable points in this article in a statement which was published... Read More
2004 Statement on Health Care Reform
In September 2004, the Catholic Medical Association Health Care Task Force published the Statement, Heath Care in America: A Catholic Proposal for Renewal. Drafted by a multi-disciplinary panel composed of physicians and other health care providers, scholars, businessmen and clergy, Health Care in America provides a systematic overview of the challenges to health care delivery... Read More
Resolving Conflicts about Treatments Deemed Futile
From time to time the Catholic Medical Association (CMA) is asked to intervene in cases in which a physician or health-care facility has made and is enforcing a judgment of medical futility, consistent with an internal policy and/or state law, over the objections of a patient and/or family member(s). While CMA cannot intervene in particular... Read More
Position Paper on HPV Immunization
The Catholic Medical Association (CMA) released a position paper on implementation of the new vaccine for HPV, Gardasil®, on January 18, 2007. The CMA recognizes that Gardasil® is safe, effective, and its use can be ethically acceptable yet, at the same time, rejects efforts at the federal level, and in some states, to mandate that... Read More
