Jasper Packard: “American tax dollars shouldn't be used to end a patient's life. There are far more humane ways to help those stricken…”

“American tax dollars shouldn't be used to end a patient's life. There are far more humane ways to help those stricken with a terminal illness and their families. The Supreme Court is currently considering two cases, Washington versus Glucksberg and Vacco versus Quil, to determine the constitutionality of assisted suicide. This is a complex issue involving medical ethics, religion, and science. Regardless of what the Court decides about the constitutionality of the deed, this bill will make sure no Federal tax dollars will be spent on it. Supporters often hold up assisted suicide as the compassionate answer to helping someone die with dignity. A society is best judged by how it treats its most vulnerable members, and killing them is not compassionate or dignified. Researchers have found that many severely and terminally ill patients share a common symptom--depression brought on by high levels of anxiety, fear, and rejection. Hastening their death does nothing to identify and treat the depression that comes along with facing death; it is not the way to resolve a terminally ill patient's concerns about becoming a burden to their family and friends; nor is it the way to comfort or ease the pain of the terminally ill. Congress should not let a single tax dollar go to pay for this physician assisted killing--a false compassion and a perversion of mercy.”