[stanne]

How does it make sense, exactly?

[mnehring]

The Catholic Church as a body has long supported social programs. Due to the structure of the home church, they often don't distinguish between an individual's duty to help the poor and government compulsion as the structure of the church has both intertwined together. From from the Catechism:

Respect for health

2288 Life and physical health are precious gifts entrusted to us by God. We must take reasonable care of them, taking into account the needs of others and the common good.

Concern for the health of its citizens requires that society help in the attainment of living-conditions that allow them to grow and reach maturity: food and clothing, housing, health care, basic education, employment, and social assistance.

Not a knock against the Catholic church. This is just a cultural difference that must be overcome with many Catholics who think that somehow government compulsion is 'help' (when, as we know, it is apathy towards one's individual duty).