Write to Your Healthcare Providers
Below are sample letters that you can send either as is (just insert the appropriate information), or personalize.
Contact information for Washington hospitals and hospital districts can be found here to help with getting these letters out. Taking a few minutes to write and send these letters is a critical way to help protect the vulnerable in our state. The life you save might be your own, someone dear to you, or someone you don't know who needs your help.
Outline of letter from patients to doctors
Dear Dr.__________:
1st paragraph: Thank your doctor for the great care they have provided you and your family over the years:
Thank you for all the excellent care you have provided for me (and my family).
2nd paragraph: Bring up your concerns regarding the recent passage of I-1000:
I wish to convey my deep concern over the recent passage of Initiative 1000, which legalized physician-assisted suicide in Washington state. My understanding of the role of a physician has always been one of healing, comforting, and trust. But this new law changes all that, leaving many of us feeling unsure of the care we may receive during serious illness.
Reminding health care providers that people in their communities want to support healthcare providers we can trust with our lives may encourage patient-protective policies instead of lethal ones.
3rd paragraph: Briefly support your position:
I recently read that the American Medical Association, and nearly all of its state chapters, oppose physician-assisted suicide. The Washington State Medical Association announced in July that physician-assisted suicide is "fundamentally incompatible with the role of physicians as healers." Fortunately, I-1000 preserves the right of physicians to refrain from involvement in assisted suicide.
4th paragraph: Ask to hear from your doctor regarding his or her position on I-1000 and show how important this issue is to you:
I am hopeful that you share the philosophy held by me, the AMA and the WSMA that physician-assisted suicide contradicts the role of physicians and endangers vulnerable patients. I would appreciate you letting me know if you and your partners in the clinic intend to write prescriptions for lethal overdoses for your patients. If so, that would be deeply troubling to me and I would need to discern if I could continue under your medical care. Again, my family and I greatly appreciate all you’ve done for us.
Sincerely,
Sample letter to hospital
Dear _____________ (Hospital or Nursing home CEO, Board Member, Director):
I am writing to thank you for your tradition of excellent care for the sick and suffering in our community. It is a tradition I hope you will continue, as it has helped (Insert name of hospital, nursing home, or facility) to earn the trust and respect of people in our community.
I am deeply troubled at how the November passage of Initiative 1000, which legalized physician-assisted suicide in Washington state, undermines this trust. It leaves people frightened and doubtful about whether or not they will continue to receive good care in a medical environment where the intentional ending of life is allowed.
I recently read that the American Medical Association, and nearly all of its 49 state chapters, oppose physician-assisted suicide. The Washington State Medical Association announced in July that physician-assisted suicide is "fundamentally incompatible with the role of physicians as healers." I believe, along with the WSMA, that physician-assisted suicide contradicts the very mission of healthcare and endangers vulnerable patients who deserve care and comfort throughout their illness, not assistance in expediting their death.
Many Oregon institutions have adopted policies prohibiting physicians from writing lethal prescriptions, pharmacies from dispensing lethal prescriptions or the administration of lethal prescriptions on institutional premises. I-1000 makes clear that Washington healthcare providers may also opt out of involvement in assisting suicide on their premises by following the law's simple procedures (see Section 19 of I-1000). I urge ____________ (hospital, medical center, nursing home, or assisted living facility) to assert your right to refrain from involvement in assisted suicide.
If ________ (hospital, medical center, nursing home, or assisted living facility) continues its life-affirming and comfort-enhancing mission by not participating in assisted suicide, I will surely continue to support and utilize your facility and encourage family and friends to do likewise. I know that my family, friends and many members of our community will join me in supporting healthcare providers we can trust with our lives.
I look forward to hearing that ____________ (hospital, medical center, nursing home, assisted living facility) will refrain from involvement in physician-assisted suicide. Please contact me to notify me of your decision. My contact information is as follows: _______________________. Thank you for your consideration in this all-important matter.
Sincerely,