Boston Cardinal O'Malley: don't rush health care overhaul

BOSTON (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) - Cardinal Sean O'Malley of the Boston Archdiocese says there "seems to be rush" to pass a national health care overhaul without weighing its consequences.

O'Malley commented on his blog about this weekend's expected vote on health care legislation by the U.S. House of Representatives.

O'Malley said the current legislation would undermine the Hyde amendment, which prohibits federal funding for abortion except in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother.

He said most people favor the Hyde amendment, and U.S. bishops simply want it enshrined in the new legislation.

O'Malley said enthusiasm for universal health care shouldn't diminish the importance of including "strong and firm backing" of the amendment's principles in the bill.