Doctors and Death in Colorado – The Point

My day job is writing for the Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview, the folks behind “BreakPoint.” We also do a daily radio minute called “The Point,” hosted by Colson Center president, John Stonestreet. I co-write these broadcasts, so my boss has asked me to share my favorites here as regular blog entries. 

Three out of five of the hospitals in Boulder, Colorado won’t participate in the state’s new assisted suicide measure. For religious hospitals, this is a no-brainer.

But many are crying foul since Colorado voted in doctor-assisted suicide back in November.

Boulder Community Health spokesperson Rich Sheenan says his association supports “the right of patients to make their own treatment decisions, including how…to die. We don’t see our role as telling doctors how to practice medicine.”

He’s implying Catholic hospitals, or anyone who opts out of helping patients kill themselves are “telling doctors how to practice medicine.” But isn’t that what the other side is doing?

Peg Sandeen of Portland’s “Death with Dignity” is even more clear, “We’re telling physicians how to practice…” because, she says, suicide is “the new medical standard of care.”

Now here’s the issue: Can the government force doctors to choose between their profession and killing people? Since doctors swear to heal life and not end it, that’s a choice they should never have to make. But as of last November, doctors in Colorado are being forced to do so.

Author’s note: Ms. Sandeen contacted me to request that I clarify her statement as support for “assistance in dying,” not “suicide.” Since I believe the latter is a euphemism for the former, and not a meaningful distinction, and since I did not misquote her, I’ve left it the same here. Please notice, however, that “suicide” is my word, not hers. 

Further Reading:

Longmont, Lafayette, Louisville hospitals opt out of new end-of-life law
Shay Castle | Dailycamera.com | January 27, 2017