Last night we talked a lot about the Assisted Suicide Bill that is being considered in Washington. The Gospel of Life Institute was kind enough to send out the following e-mail about another opportunity to learn more about this issue. The e-mail also contains some more facts about the Assisted Suicide Bill in Oregon. We talked about these last night, but they're written down now in case you forgot them. Remember to tell everyone about this!
Archbishop Brunett will be live on Sacred Heart Radio (1050 AM) today, April 10, from 4-5 PM.
His topic will be the Assisted Suicide Bill that is being considered for our state. Sr. Sharon Park of the Washington State Catholic Conference will be his guest. Please listen and call in with your comments or questions. (1-877-792-9108)
- Oregon is the only state in our nation that currently has legal assisted suicide. Some facts from Oregon:
- The Death with Dignity law contains no penalties for doctors who do not report prescribing lethal doses for the purpose of suicide.
- Not one patient was referred for a psychological evaluation or counseling before receiving a prescription for assisted suicide in 2007.
- A restriction of the law is that patients must be within 6 months of death. According to a doctor on the board of Compassion & Choices of Oregon, "..We can easily be 100 percent off, but I do not think that is a problem. If we say a patient has 6 months to live and we are off by 100 percent and is it really 3 months or even 12 months, I do not think the patient is harmed in any way.." (How can a patient be harmed any more than killing him?)
- Oregon officially reports 9 assisted-suicide requests based on financial concerns, but there is no way to know the actual number.
- No family notification is required before a doctor helps a loved one commit suicide.
- Recipients of suicide drugs must be residents of Oregon, but it is up to the doctor to decide whether the person is a resident.
- Pain control has become increasingly inadequate in Oregon, according to Sue Davidson of the Oregon Nurses' Assoc. "The inadequacy of meeting patients' pain needs had increased up to 50 percent even though the emphasis on pain management has remained the same.." (What will the future hold if the government is everyone's insurance company?)
- The law creates no new rights for patients, only legal immunity for doctors. (Why would we want that?)
- The state has no way to investigate botched assisted-suicide attempts.
- The Oregon medical records used to compile assisted suicide statistics are then destroyed. (Why?)
Our local Church is leading the charge against this insidious practice being legalized in Washington. PLEASE show your lively interest in this vital matter by calling your very own Archbishop. Ask him about one of these facts (to help get the word out) or at least thank him for the courage to step forward into the political arena! He is very moved by calls. This is a very real way to support him, to hold him up in his efforts.
Please call into the Archbishop's hour radio program today (Thursday) between 4 and 5 pm at 1-877-792-9108.
