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| Dear Parishioners: Assemblywoman Dion Aroner (Berkeley) introduced AB 1592, the so-called "Death with Dignity Act," which is patterned after the Oregon assisted suicide law, to the California State Assembly in March. The act would allow the terminally ill and dying to request lethal medication from her/his physician and authorize physicians to prescribe it. Aside from specific Catholic moral arguments against the bill because of its attack on the sanctity of life, the concept of death with dignity for any person cannot exist without comprehensive medical care. At least 42 million people in the United States, 7 million in the state of California, and 130,000 in San Francisco have no health care. Managed care corporations are increasingly denying coverage to individuals and raising health care costs, while simultaneously increasing their profits. Paying for long term hospital and hospice care, in addition to medication, is costly. Meanwhile, the cost of a lethal prescription is no more that $50. HMO’s only stand to decrease their own expenses, and thereby profit from this legislation. The act has already passed out of the Human Services Committee and is scheduled to be voted on in the Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, May 19th. We, as Church, must respond to the call to care for the weak, elderly and dying in our midst. We can continue our work to support every person’s individual dignity of life by embracing this opportunity to voice our opposition to the culture of death. Please contact Assemblyman Lou Papan and tell him you believe in life (916)319-2019 or (650)866-3940. FAX (916)319-2119 or Email: a19@assembly.ca.gov Sincerely, |
