Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Dec. 12 signed the Medical Aid in Dying Bill, which will take effect in 2026. The law establishes eligibility criteria, physician responsibilities and participation protections for medical aid in dying.
However, Springfield-based Hospital Sisters Health System has announced that it will not participate in the law, The State Journal-Register reported Dec. 18. Mary Massingale, system manager of communications and public relations for HSHS, told the publication that the system is “deeply disappointed Illinois Senate Bill 1950 was signed into law, making physician-assisted suicide legal in Illinois.”
“As a Catholic healthcare system, HSHS upholds the sacredness of life from conception to natural death and is unwavering in our position not to participate in or condone any action intended to hasten or cause death,” she added.
Illinois is the 12th state to allow medical aid-in-dying. The Illinois law, also known as Deb’s Law, allows physicians to prescribe a lethal dose of medication that patients will be able to self-administer at a time of their choosing.
“HSHS honors the dignity of each individual by providing compassionate, holistic end-of-life care through comfort options, including palliative, hospice and other supportive care services,” Ms. Massingale said.
