Rockford Diocese calls on Catholics to reject Illinois’ bid to legalize assisted suicide

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Bishop David Malloy, of the Catholic Diocese of Rockford, is calling on Catholics throughout the state to oppose efforts to make assisted suicide legal in Illinois.

Both Senate Bill 9 and House Bill 1328 contain efforts to legalize suicide for terminally ill patients.

The “End of Life Options Act” would provide prescriptions to terminally ill patients who want to pass away peacefully.

In his letter, Malloy said, “In states with legalized suicide, there are documented cases of insurance companies refusing to pay for the necessary care of the terminally ill while at the same time, they will cover the small cost of the drugs resulting in the end of life.”

The bills are modeled after laws in authorized jurisdictions, including Oregon, which established a similar law 28 years ago.

The Oregon Health Department said in the first three years since the state legalized assisted suicide, suicides rose 42% higher than the national average.

Malloy also quoted the American Medical Association as saying, “Physician-assisted suicide is fundamentally incompatible with the physician’s role as healer, would be difficult or impossible to control, and would provide serious societal risks.”

A poll taken two years ago showed that 7 out of 10 Illinois voters supported medical aid in dying legislation.