A news report about the proposed ballot measure on assisted
suicide, issued by Associated Press on Wednesday and published in
today's (Thursday, December 8) Boston Globe, contained incorrect
information about the Massachusetts Medical Society.
The MMS has taken no position on the proposed ballot measure on
assisted suicide.
At the Interim Meeting of its House of Delegates December 2-3,
MMS reaffirmed its policy opposing physician-assisted suicide, a
policy that has been in effect since 1996.
The new policy also includes a clear statement that the MMS
"supports patient dignity and the alleviation of pain and suffering
at the end of the life" and a commitment by the MMS to "provide
physicians treating terminally ill patients with the ethical,
medical, social, and legal education, training and resources to
enable them to contribute to the comfort and dignity of the patient
and the patient's family."
For information: Thomas Flanagan
Tel: 781-434-7101
Email: tflanagan@mms.org
