The Massachusetts Medical Society voted to repeal its policy regarding assisted suicide and euthanasia on Saturday, moving from its well established opposition to a “neutral engagement” on the practice.
“The Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) rescinded its longstanding opposition to physician assisted suicide, or the act of a physician writing a prescription for a lethal dose of medication to be used by an adult with a terminal illness at such time as the patient sees fit,” the MMS wrote in a statement on its website.
“Medical Society adopted the position of neutral engagement,” the statement continued. The Medical Society’s new policy also means that it can serve as a resource for legislative efforts to legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide. The policy also says it supports a decision-making process that includes input both from the patient and their physician.
Its new resolution, accepted by the institution’s House of Delegates, now serves as organizational policy. In order for the resolution to be recognized state-wide however, Massachusetts legislatures must pass a bill that allows doctors to prescribe lethal medication. The Massachusetts state legislature is considering an “end of life options” bill which MMS formerly opposed.
AAN Staff
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