Fight Assisted Suicide Bill in California

Assembly Bill 654 (AB 654), the "Compassionate Choice Act," has been passed by the Judiciary Committee and is making its way through the California Assembly. This bill to legalize assisted suicide in our state, authorizes physicians, upon a patient's request, to give deadly drugs for the person to use. Once legal, suicide could be encouraged to preserve an inheritance, hide medical malpractice, or increase HMO profit. No real safeguard can be made to prevent abuse. The California Catholic Conference of Bishops has taken a position opposing this bill.

Unless our representatives hear from a significant number of their constituents this bill could pass. Please write a short message to your Assembly Member to let him/her know you oppose any bill legalizing physician-assisted suicide; it cannot be controlled, victimizes the vulnerable and causes doctors to help kill patients.

For more info on the issue of assisted suicide please see California Catholic Conference or Californians Against Assisted Suicide.