Press Release: Assisted Suicide Initiative Paid Signature Campaign Delivers Bad Law to Capitol, Opponents Say
July 2, 2008
Saying that paid signature gatherers are endangering Washington’s elderly, low-income and disabled, The Coalition Against Assisted Suicide today called on voters to reject I-1000, the assisted suicide initiative.
“Money can’t buy happiness, but it can buy signatures,” said Duane M. French, head of the disabilities rights group, Not Dead Yet – Washington, and a member of the Coalition Against Assisted Suicide. READ MORE >
Who is the Coalition Against Assisted Suicide?
In Washington, the Coalition Against Assisted Suicide has formed to combat I-1000, the assisted suicide initiative that is being promoted for the 2008 ballot.
The Coalition includes people with disabilities, doctors, nurses, hospice workers, minority persons, and religious groups. If you would like to join the coalition, sign up. We'll keep you informed on the ballot campaign.
What's Wrong with Assisted Suicide?
Twenty-five states have defeated bills and/or initiatives aimed at legalizing assisted suicide. In Washington, a similar law was proposed in 1991 and defeated by the voters, 54% to 46%.
We are a broad coalition and members have various reasons for opposing assisted suicide.
Most doctors and nurses believe their job is to promote health, treat symptoms, and cure medical conditions when possible. Promoting assisted suicide is inconsistent with their commitment to "do no harm."
Why Are Persons with Disabilities Opposing this law?
Society often dismisses the value and quality of the lives of people with disabilities, making many disabled people vulnerable
to pressure and manipulation.
People with new disabilities often feel despondent and even suicidal. But over time they typically find satisfaction in their lives.
Working through this initial despair usually takes far longer than the brief two-week waiting period in Oregon's law. In that
critical early stage, many disabled people could easily take this irrevocable fatal step. And, as Dr. Jack Kevorkian taught us,
the line between a terminal illness and disability can be easily crossed.
Why Are Low-Income and Minorities Opposing this law?
Our for-profit health care system often delivers unequal treatment, with minorities and low-income patients receiving the lowest quality care. Allowing doctors to prescribe lethal drugs could harm those least able to defend themselves.
