The US Conference of Catholic Bishops has long advocated for healthcare reform, especially on issues relating to the poor and immigrants.
But when it exerted pressure on members of the House of Representatives to include an amendment ensuring federal subsidies wouldn't fund elective abortions, it was credited for the amount of influence it wielded.
"This kind of involvement isn't unusual for the church," says media relations director Mary Ann Walsh. "It's very visible now because we haven't had this kind ...