The American Public Health Association (APHA) claims to be “leading the way” to protect Americans from “serious health threats.” Yet, according to two of its 2008 policy statements, assisted suicide and abortion are not among those threats.
The APHA is endorsing assisted suicide for terminally ill adults, but rejects the phrase “assisted suicide” as “inaccurate.” Among its recommendations: “Support allowing a mentally competent, terminally ill adult to obtain a prescription for medication that the person could self-administer to control the time, place, and manner of his or her impending death.” The public health group also calls for state legislation “protecting and enhancing women’s ability to obtain safe, legal abortion services without delay or government interference.”
