In an effort to rekindle their failed physician-assisted suicide legislation in California a few months ago, proponents have introduced a new bill, California State Assmbly bill “ABx2 15,” introduced by Assemblyman Eggman (D-Stockton), in a Special Session of the California legislature designed to deal with rising health care costs.
Just hours after the announcement, however, a spokesperson for Governor Jerry Brown said that including the suicide bill in a discussion on health care costs was inappropriate and that the legislation should be dealt with in regular session.
Californians Against Assisted Suicide pointed out that “linking this bill with healthcare financing … should be truly frightening to those on MediCal and subsidized health care, who quite logically fear a system where prescribing suicide pills could be elevated to a treatment option.”
ABx2 15 follows the failure of California State Senate bill “SB 128,” which did not have enough votes to pass the Assembly Health Committee and was set aside for the remainder of the legislative session. It is virtually the same as SB 128 with some illusionary “safeguards” included.
The Assembly Health Committee, where SB 128 stalled, will be smaller in the Special Session and will not include some members who are opposed to the bill. Proponents aim to get it through this smaller committee.
Since the failure of SB 128, proponents have had two attempts at legalizing deadly prescriptions dismissed in California courts. In addition, a Federal appellate court in New Mexico reversed a lower court ruling that would have legalized the practice in that state (New Mexico).
The California Catholic Conference, directed by the state’s bishops, is advising that we contact and urge California state legislators to stop this ill-advised attempt to legalize physician assisted suicide by any means. Urge a “No” vote on California State Assembly Bill “ABx2 15.” For more information, go to: http://cqrcengage.com/cacatholic/app/write-a-letter?3&engagementId=126203
To learn the devastating statistics in Oregon and other regions around the world that have adopted “physician-assisted suicide” for those diagnosed as terminally ill, read this shocking panel discussion: http://catholicbusinessjournal.biz/content/napa-institute-expert-panel-reveals-shocking-statistics-follow-legalization-physician-assist