Two Colorado lawmakers have drafted legislation that would allow terminally ill patients to obtain lethal doses of drugs from their physicians. The legislation is modeled after Oregon’s “death with dignity” law. (Thinkstock)
As physicians, we are very distressed by the proposed legislation for physician-assisted suicide in Colorado. Any legislation that promotes physician assistance in a patientap death undermines the integrity of the medical profession and devalues the person to a burden. As physicians we must always care for our patients, but never assist in their death. There is a major distinction between allowing someone to die under compassionate care vs. killing them. Hospice palliative care medicine provides a compassionate and caring alternative to eliminate suffering appropriately for patients at the end of life. The proposed legislation must be defeated — killing those who are suffering is not a compassionate way to care for them.
Michelle K. Stanford, M.D., Littleton
Roxann Headley, M.D., Foxfield
This letter was published in the Jan. 10 edition.
Submit a letter to the editor via this form or check out our guidelines for how to submit by e-mail or mail.
