In my opinion, the best statement reflecting Catholic social teaching in relationship to the current health care debate is that of the Catholic Medical Association. I am a member and will post the brief statement:
Whereas, President Obama and Congress have been engaged in efforts to enact health care reform legislation in 2009 with the result that bills have been voted out of committees in both the House of Representatives and the Senate; and
Whereas, in an effort to change health care financing and delivery, some bills propose to vest, in a small set of unelected officials in the federal government, unprecedented powers to dictate the content of and charges for health insurance plans, the authorization of treatments, and provider reimbursement; and
Whereas, in the current legislative process, committees in both the House of Representatives and the Senate have refused to establish minimal, much less adequate, respect for the conscience rights of health care providers and have refused to exclude funding of abortion; and
Whereas, despite the significant shortcomings of current legislative bills and processes, Congress and President Obama have repeatedly expressed their determination to enact legislation before the end of calendar year 2009 – a timeframe too short to allow adequate consideration and transparency;
Therefore, be it resolved that:
CMA members urge Congress and their elected representatives to “reset” the effort to enact health care reform legislation, to reexamine their commitment to the principles of the current legislation, and to begin the process anew; and
Be it resolved that Congress enact legislation that respects the Principle of Subsidiarity by recognizing the rights of individuals, families, groups and communities to make decisions about their health care insurance and treatment options; and
Be it resolved that Congress enact legislation respecting the physician-patient relationship rather than legislation inserting more bureaucrats and regulations into this relationship; and
Be it resolved that before or concurrent with passing any health care reform legislation, Congress provide comprehensive, enforceable protection for the conscience rights of health care providers, institutions, and programs; and
Be it resolved that any health care legislation passed by Congress and signed into law shall exclude any funding of abortion; and
Be it resolved that Congress should enact legislation that respects the Principle of Solidarity in reforming Medicaid and Medicare and in providing a way for those who fall outside current social assistance programs to obtain basic health care services consistent with human dignity and justice; and
Be it resolved that Congress enact legislation permitting fair and transparent competition for health care insurance plans so that individuals and families can purchase affordable health insurance that comports with their values and needs.
When the CMA places the first emphasis on the principle of subsidiarity, it is saying that this is not an issue that the federal government should ever be involved in. The principle of subsidiarity is a cornerstone of Catholic social teaching and a discussion can be found in the Compendium cited above. In my opinion, this is the direction that the bishops should have taken their argument and some, including Bishop Chaput, Bishop Vasa, and others understand this.
So, it is incorrect to assume that the worldwide Church is socialistic in nature but I understand how a superficial view of Catholic social teaching could lead one to believe this.
Again, I would encourage you to read the Compendium which I think may help in this regard.