CNA. Assisted suicide legislation has been introduced in several states this year, with some bills gaining traction in efforts to legalize the practice and expand its availability.

According to Tim Millea, chairman of the board of the Catholic Medical Association, the three “most worrisome” states where legislation has been introduced are Illinois, Maryland, and Delaware. Elsewhere, in Washington, Oregon, and Vermont, state legislators are seeking to expand access. 

Currently, 10 states — California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington — along with the District of Columbia have MAID laws that allow physician-assisted suicide.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church condemns euthanasia as “morally unacceptable” (No. 2277). Pope Francis reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s condemnation of the practice in a message to an interfaith symposium on palliative care in May 2024: “I would point out that authentic palliative care is radically different from euthanasia, which is never a source of hope or genuine concern for the sick and dying.” … Continue