Virginia Society for Human Life has joined forces with multiple concerned groups and individuals from a diverse cross-section of the Commonwealth of Virginia to defend Virginia’s current ban on Doctor Assisted Suicide and prevent passage of a bill that would radically undercut that protective law.  

HB 1649, Del. Kaye Kory, D- 38, has been introduced to the 2020 session and is opposed by the newly formed coalition consisting of among others, disability rights groups, veterans, and medical associations.

If the current law is overturned or compromised by allowing a form of Doctor Assisted Suicide VSHL fears that, just as in other states that allow it, the suicide option will become a serious threat to the lives and well-being of the elderly, those with disabilities, mental health issues and the poor. Across the country whenever assisted suicide is legal vulnerable individuals are placed at high risk of being pressured into suicide instead of legitimate health care or appropriate counselling. 

VSHL is asking concerned Virginians to contact their Delegate right now and tell them to oppose this bill or any effort to expand a right to assisted suicide. 

VSHL supports efforts to help people receive medical care that provides better pain management, mental health treatment and opportunities to explore other types of care, rather than the hopeless response of suicide. Doctors should not be made to participate in killing their own patients.

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Virginia Society for Human Life is the oldest state-wide pro-life organization in the nation with chapters throughout the Commonwealth supporting life issues and the Virginia affiliate of the National Right to Life Committee.