LETTER TO NIGHTINGGALE ALLIANCE

As a pre-med student, I believe the legalization of assisted suicide is a very real threat to our patients and to our medical profession. Although the so-called given reasons for the legalization include letting someone die with “dignity” or relieving someone of extreme pain, I feel the main pursuit of this procedure would become a means of relief for the cost and care needed. My question to you is how can we educate the public on the likely hood that the legalization will be detrimental to our society in which those who cannot afford the extreme costs of our flawed health care systems will feel pressured to consider the option even though it may not be what they want. Moreover, as an organization what do you feel is needed to convince individuals that there are better options then suicide?

Sincerely,
Nicole Butchart