New group forms in Montana to support Hinkle Bill, oppose assisted suicide, and prevent elder abuse.

The Montanans Against Assisted Suicide and For Living with Dignity have formed as a group of individuals and groups to support Senator Greg Hinkle's Senate Bill 116 to oppose assisted suicide and prevent elder abuse in Montana.

The Montanans Against Assisted Suicide and For Living with Dignity have organized a post-card campaign and they are encouraging Montanans to send hand-written letters to their Representatives to encourage them to support Senator Hinkle and oppose assisted suicide. Link to more information.

Montana has an interesting situation. Senator Hinkle has sponsored Senate Bill 116 that will reverse the Baxter court decision and close the loop-hole that technically allowed assisted suicide, even though the Baxter decision did not make assisted suicide actually legal. SB 116 will also provide greater protections from Elder Abuse. An explanation of the Baxter court decision.

At the same time Senator Anders Blewett has introduced Senate Bill 167 to officially legalize assisted suicide in Montana.

The stakes are high. The Baxter decision did not legalize assisted suicide but if prosecuted it gave Montana doctors a defense of consent. Clearly the status quo is not acceptable.

At the same time, Compassion & Choices of Colorado, the leading group in the suicide lobby, has tried to convince Montana doctors that they can go ahead and prescribe a lethal dose to their patients. Compassion & Choices, known by the disability rights group Not Dead Yet as conflation and con jobs, is also busy pressuring Montana politicians to support the Blewett bill and uphold the Baxter court decision.

The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition recognizes that the Montanans Against Assisted Suicide and For Living with Dignity have accepted a monumental task but we are convinced that this group of concerned Montana citizens will not only win the battle, but they will do so in a convincing fashion.

Donations can be sent to the:
Montanans Against Assisted Suicide and For Living with Dignity
P.O. Box 2691, Big Fork Montana 59911