Michigan’s Medical Society Sidesteps Debate on Assisted Suicide
The state Medical Society reaffirmed without debate Sunday its opposition to doctor-assisted suicide in most cases, angering some members who wanted to air their differences.
With Michigan’s own Jack Kevorkian at the center of a national debate, leaders of the 11,700-member group expected more of a battle.
“I’m extremely upset. Through our inaction we’re allowing Kevorkian to dominate the debate,” said Dr. Louis Zako, a delegate. Kevorkian was acquitted last week of violating a state law that bans assisted suicide.
Under the Medical Society’s reaffirmed policy, a physician is allowed to help a patient to commit suicide only after all other options are exhausted. The delegates voted 85 to 32 to reaffirm the policy.
More to Read
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.