From State Rep. Regan Deering (R-Decatur):
DEERING DISAPPOINTED BY GOVERNOR’S DECISION TO SIGN PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE INTO LAW
| On December 12, Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation allowing assisted suicide to become law. The legislation, SB 1950, faced significant objections from coroners, medical experts, religious communities, and disability-rights advocates. Throughout debate, concerns were raised about the bill’s lack of guardrails, the exclusion of key stakeholders, and the potential risks it creates for vulnerable families. In response, I released the following statement: “As a pro-life legislator, I am extremely disappointed in Governor Pritzker’s decision to sign this bill into law which compromises the sanctity of life,” began Rep. Deering. “Aside from my moral objections, it has serious practical problems. “Since this medication is self-administered, once it leaves the pharmacy, there is no telling who will have access to the fatal medication. “That gravely concerns me, considering the ongoing mental health crisis affecting our communities.”In addition to issues with who can access the prescription, Rep. Deering raises concerns regarding coercion of the most vulnerable populations and the precedent this new law sets in Illinois. “I am also worried about how this new law will affect conversations with the elderly, disabled, and chronically ill populations,” continued Rep. Deering. “With the option to prematurely end the lives of our most vulnerable, I worry of an influx of coercion and abuse tactics to get these individuals to take the medication. “The safeguards included in the new law simply don’t go far enough and that can lead to a very dangerous and slippery slope.” Read my entire statement here. |
