BALTIMORE -- The nation's Catholic bishops expressed cautious satisfaction with the way that national health care legislation is progressing but said they will remain vigilant to prevent any government subsidy of elective abortion and to extend care to immigrants and other vulnerable people.

"We remain deeply concerned about the debate that now moves to the Senate, especially as it will affect the poor and vulnerable, and those at the beginning and end of life," they said in a statement on the first day of their semi-annual meeting in Baltimore.

They are gathering on the heels of what was widely seen as a victory for the bishops. On Nov. 7 the House of Representatives approved a draft that said no federally subsidized health plan could cover abortions except in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother, though individuals could purchase an abortion rider.

Despite their longstanding support for universal health care, the bishops haven't wholeheartedly endorsed the House bill. They want a "conscience clause" so that no medical professional can be forced to perform an abortion, and they are worried about the exclusion of immigrants.

The Catholic Church regards health care as a human right, and regards fetuses as human beings entitled to human rights.

Cardinal Francis George of Chicago defended their right to argue forcefully on legislation. Some critics, including Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Calif., have accused the bishops of breaching the separation of church and state in this effort.

Bishop David Zubik of Pittsburgh compared the bishops' efforts to advocacy done by labor unions. "We're citizens, too. Just because I'm a Catholic or a bishop doesn't mean that I should zip my lips and not say what's on my mind," he said.

Bishop William Murphy of Rockville Centre, N.Y., chairman of the bishops Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, oversees health care reform efforts. He emphasized consistency with the Hyde Amendment, which since 1976 has banned the use of federal funds for most abortions. Legislators "were seeking to be abortion-neutral -- not changing what was already in existence," he said.

Washington correspondent Daniel Malloy writes the "Pittsburgh On The Potomac" blog exclusively at PG+, a members-only web site of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.