I ask that you oppose HF 2152, the bill to legalize assisted suicide. In the state with some of the best healthcare in the world, we should be working to improve care not endangering the poor, the elderly, veterans, and the vulnerable with this dangerous legislation.

Among other things, this bill:

• Endangers the poor, the elderly, and vulnerable adults through its lack of appropriate safeguards
• Allows non-physicians to prescribe death-inducing drugs
• Does not require patients to be residents of Minnesota, which will fuel suicide tourism
• Distorts the role of healthcare professionals as healers who seek to “do no harm,” and undermines the trust between doctor and patient, by requiring all doctors who assist those with terminal conditions to advise the patient that assisted suicide is a treatment option
• Coerces healthcare professionals and provider organizations to participate in the assisted suicide process

This bill is not only dangerous to the future of quality healthcare in our state and to those who provide care but most importantly it puts us - the patients - at risk. When the cheaper option is to provide a vial of pills to end one's life instead of providing real care that accompanies us throughout life's journey, it is clear that we - the patients - will be seen as a financial burden. This will particularly negatively impact the poorest and most vulnerable among us. We ought to be working towards better health outcomes that never make our loved ones feel that they are a burden.

Please, for the sake of care of every patient in Minnesota, do not allow assisted suicide to be considered in our state. Continue instead to work towards positive healthcare options such as improving hospice and palliative care especially for those who are facing chronic conditions or nearing the end of their lives.

I ask that you oppose SF 2286, the bill to legalize assisted suicide. In the state with some of the best healthcare in the world, we should be working to improve care not endangering the poor, the elderly, veterans, and the vulnerable with this dangerous legislation.

Among other things, this bill:

• Endangers the poor, the elderly, and vulnerable adults through its lack of appropriate safeguards
• Allows non-physicians to prescribe death-inducing drugs
• Does not require patients to be residents of Minnesota, which will fuel suicide tourism
• Distorts the role of healthcare professionals as healers who seek to “do no harm,” and undermines the trust between doctor and patient, by requiring all doctors who assist those with terminal conditions to advise the patient that assisted suicide is a treatment option
• Coerces healthcare professionals and provider organizations to participate in the assisted suicide process

This bill is not only dangerous to the future of quality healthcare in our state and to those who provide care but most importantly it puts us - the patients - at risk. When the cheaper option is to provide a vial of pills to end one's life instead of providing real care that accompanies us throughout life's journey, it is clear that we - the patients - will be seen as a financial burden. This will particularly negatively impact the poorest and most vulnerable among us. We ought to be working towards better health outcomes that never make our loved ones feel that they are a burden.

Please, for the sake of care of every patient in Minnesota, do not allow assisted suicide to be considered in our state. Continue instead to work towards positive healthcare options such as improving hospice and palliative care especially for those who are facing chronic conditions or nearing the end of their lives.

As a member of the House Health and Human Services Policy Committee, I ask that you oppose HF 2152, the bill to legalize assisted suicide. In the state with some of the best healthcare in the world, we should be working to improve care not endangering the poor, the elderly, veterans, and the vulnerable with this dangerous legislation.

Among other things, this bill:

• Endangers the poor, the elderly, and vulnerable adults through its lack of appropriate safeguards
• Allows non-physicians to prescribe death-inducing drugs
• Does not require patients to be residents of Minnesota, which will fuel suicide tourism
• Distorts the role of healthcare professionals as healers who seek to “do no harm,” and undermines the trust between doctor and patient, by requiring all doctors who assist those with terminal conditions to advise the patient that assisted suicide is a treatment option
• Coerces healthcare professionals and provider organizations to participate in the assisted suicide process

This bill is not only dangerous to the future of quality healthcare in our state and to those who provide care but most importantly it puts us - the patients - at risk. When the cheaper option is to provide a vial of pills to end one's life instead of providing real care that accompanies us throughout life's journey, it is clear that we - the patients - will be seen as a financial burden. This will particularly negatively impact the poorest and most vulnerable among us. We ought to be working towards better health outcomes that never make our loved ones feel that they are a burden.

Please, for the sake of care of every patient in Minnesota, do not allow assisted suicide to be considered in our state. Continue instead to work towards positive healthcare options such as improving hospice and palliative care especially for those who are facing chronic conditions or nearing the end of their lives.