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.

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/

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/