In your state, the public has voted (75% in favor) to adopt a new law permitting physician-assisted

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Question:

In your state, the public has voted (75% in favor) to adopt a new law permitting physician-assisted suicide. Your hospital is a Catholic institution, funded by area Catholic churches and charities, and these organizations condemn the practice of PAS as violating the fundamental tenets to respect and protect life. The hospital's mission statement says that it is "Dedicated to providing compassionate care, particularly for the poor and vulnerable, with a commitment to sanctity of life and the provision of the highest quality and innovation." Your Board of Trustees (BOT) is divided on whether to come out and condemn the practice of PAS. While PAS will certainly not be offered in your hospital, half of the BOT feels that a public condemnation is necessary to express the hospital's views on the issue. The other half feels that such action is inappropriate and could alienate patients, community members, as well as employees, and physicians who do not share the same values as the hospital.

You are part of a small team of healthcare executives working in different areas of the hospital. You have been compelled by the BOT to brief them on the issue of whether the hospital should make a public statement on physician-assisted suicide and, if so, what it should say/consider.

Briefs the BOT on the relevant ethical issues around PAS, as well as issues the BOT might consider that you would not necessarily wish to make public/ include in that statement.