Illinois, New York Policymakers Support Flawed Assisted-Suicide Measures
On December 12, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed legislation letting healthcare providers help terminally ill patients end their lives. The measure makes Illinois the latest state to legalize physician-assisted suicide.
The measure passed the Illinois Senate by just one vote during the fall legislative session after narrowly clearing the House earlier this year. Illinois now joins states like Oregon, California, and Washington in allowing what supporters call “medical aid in dying.”
In a statement, Pritzker said the law “enables patients faced with debilitating terminal illnesses to make a decision, in consultation with a doctor, that helps them avoid unnecessary pain and suffering at the end of their lives.”
A few days later, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced she had reached a deal with state legislators to legalize assisted suicide.
In a statement, Hochul said, “I was taught that God is merciful and compassionate, and so must we be. This includes permitting a merciful option to those facing the unimaginable and searching for comfort in their final months in this life.”
However, experience in other states shows assisted-suicide laws don’t help people who are sick and dying.
Oregon first allowed physician-assisted suicide in 1998, and official state reports have shown for years that the reasons people give most often for wanting to end their lives are loss of autonomy, decreasing ability to participate in activities that make life enjoyable, and loss of dignity.
Most patients do not express concerns about pain.
In Oregon, terminally ill patients routinely receive lethal prescriptions without being referred for psychological or psychiatric evaluation.
Last year, less than 1% of patients who received a prescription for physician-assisted suicide in Oregon were referred for a psychiatric evaluation. That’s a serious problem.
Many of these patients are lonely and feel like they are losing control over their lives because of their illness. They need counseling and support — not a prescription for deadly drugs.
In parts of the U.S. where physician-assisted suicide is legal, insurance companies have refused to pay for patients’ medical care, but have offered to cover assisted-suicide drugs.
And we have heard stories about patients in Europe and Canada being denied care or actively euthanized thanks to bad government policies.
That’s why Family Council has worked hard to block assisted suicide legislation in Arkansas.
In 2019 and 2021, Arkansas lawmakers wisely rejected very bad end-of-life laws that were flawed and fundamentally disrespected the right to life. Family Council worked closely with our friends in the legislature to stop these proposals.
Just like abortion, euthanasia and assisted-suicide are murder, and they violate the sanctity of human life.
Being pro-life means believing innocent human life is sacred from conception until natural death.
Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.
New Study Shows Marijuana is Sending Older Adults to the E.R.
New research shows emergency room visits from marijuana products have skyrocketed among older Americans.
The study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine tracked E.R. visits specifically related to CBD products, medical marijuana, and drugs made from hemp, like Delta-8 THC.
Researchers recorded nearly 18,000 E.R. visits by adults 50 or older between 2016 and 2023.
Patients suffered from altered mental states, psychiatric episodes, fainting, heart problems, and dangerous falls. Many arrived at hospitals after consuming gummies, liquids, or other edible products made from marijuana.
Most of the patients indicated they were using marijuana for medical purposes.
One in five patients required hospitalization due to serious complications from the drugs.
CBD products alone accounted for more than half of all emergency visits, despite being marketed as safe and natural.
This spike in E.R. visits related to marijuana is not an isolated situation. A 2024 study found E.R. visits surged among Canadian seniors following legalization. A 2022 study revealed E.R. visits increased for Canadian children who suffered from marijuana poisoning. Other researchers have found poison center reports due to marijuana exposure rose 245% from 2000 – 2020. Earlier this year, medical professionals in Connecticut reported that marijuana is sending children to the E.R. and prompting people to call Poison Control.
A growing body of scientific research shows marijuana is dangerous.
From deadly heart disease and cancer to stroke, mental illness, and birth defects, marijuana has been found time and time again to pose serious health hazards.
In fact, researchers say marijuana doubles a person’s risk of death from heart disease.
And instead of decreasing crime, marijuana legalization has actually emboldened drug cartels and increased the flow of illegal drugs across America.
All of this simply underscores what we have said for years: Marijuana may be many things, but “harmless” simply is not one of them.
Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.