In 2009, the State Supreme Court ruled that patient consent can be used (posthumously) as a defense for a physician who assists in a patient’s suicide. This ruling as opened the door for assisted suicide across the state, where a doctor will prescribe lethal drugs to a patient. The death certificates are falsified making it impossible to know how and when this is being practiced, much less to investigate and prosecute coercion and abuse. 

SB 136 is a bill that will remedy this dangerous situation. SB 136 prohibits the use of patient consent as a defense to the illegal practice of physician-assisted suicide. It is vital that you strongly encourage your elected officials to vote yes on SB 136 and return protections to the people of Montana. 

In other states with legal access to assisted suicide, we have seen many significant concerns and abuses. 

1. Patients have been denied coverage for lifesaving treatment and offered assisted suicide instead.

2. Young women with anorexia have been given lethal drugs by their doctor under this same policy in Colorado and Oregon. 

3. Pain and suffering, or even concern about it, never make it into the top 5 reasons why patients die by assisted suicide in Oregon.  Rather, the most commonly cited reasons are disability related concerns, which is why the National Council on Disability rejects assisted suicide.

4. Mental conditions are ignored and depressed patients receive the lethal medications. 

5. Doctors make mistakes and patients who are not dying receive the prescription drugs. 

Please take a few moments and have your voice heard!