1. HB 150 legalizes assisted suicide for persons with a "terminal disease," which is defined as having less than six months to live. In Oregon, which uses the same definition, young adults with chronic conditions such as diabetes are "eligible" for assisted suicide. Such persons can have years, even decades, to live. Consider also, Jeanette Hall, who was adamant that she would do assisted suicide, but was convinced to be treated instead. Today, nearly 15 years later, she is "thrilled to be alive." See
http://www.montanansagainstassistedsuicide.org/2013/04/if-kress-had-been-my-doctor-in-2000-i_27.html
2. In Oregon, it is well-documented that Medicaid steers people to suicide through coverage incentives. Private insurers have this same ability. For more information, see the affidavit of Kenneth Stevens, MD, at this link:
https://maasdocuments.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/dr-stevens-affidavit_001.pdf
3. Legalization of assisted suicide is a recipe for elder abuse. Once the lethal dose is issued by the pharmacy, there is no oversight. Even if the patient struggled, who would know?
4. In Oregon, other (conventional) suicides have increased significantly with the legalization of physician-assisted suicide. In Oregon, conventional suicides are a $41 million problem due to hospitalization costs, etc. See
http://www.choiceillusion.org/2014/03/the-high-financial-cost-of-regular.html Legalization, regardless, sends the wrong message to young people that suicide is an acceptable solution to life's problems.
For a short article about Washington's similar law, please go here:
https://www.kcba.org/newsevents/barbulletin/BView.aspx?month=05&Year=2009&AID=article5.htm
