'Assisted suicide is a direct threat to anyone that is viewed as a

significant cost liability to public or private healthcare providers.'

    SACRAMENTO, Calif., March 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Catherine
 Campisi PhD., former Director of the California Department of
 Rehabilitation from December 1999 to December 2006, has joined the
 coalition opposing the legalization of assisted suicide in California.
     "Assisted suicide is a direct threat to anyone that is viewed as a
 significant cost liability to public or private healthcare providers,"
 stated Dr. Campisi.
     "We cannot assume that such a high pressure, profit motivated industry
 will always take the high road. It seems there are almost daily accounts of
 health care providers cutting costs to the detriment of patients.
     "Looking at the psychological impacts, assisted suicide has far more
 potential to do harm than good to thousands of Californians facing serious
 illness or disability that may be defined as terminal. While it is
 understandable that people in such situations may greatly fear loss of
 autonomy or being a burden emotionally or financially on their family,
 assisted suicide is not the solution since it poses such great risks to
 vulnerable people. Increasing access and information to quality counseling,
 hospice, and palliative care, for those with an illness defined as
 terminal, are far sounder public policy options than the legalization of
 assisted suicide"
     In addition to her service as the Director of the California Department
 of Rehabilitation, Dr. Campisi has a distinguished career in academia,
 public service and disability rights advocacy. Some career highlights
 include: Dean of Student Services -- California Community Colleges (1999),
 Chairperson -- California State Inter-agency Americans with Disabilities
 Act Task Force (2000-2003) -- Past President Association on Higher
 Education and Disability.
     Catherine Campisi is a member of the American Psychological Association
 and Californians for Disability Rights.
     Californians Against Assisted Suicide is a coalition of disability
 rights organizations, Independent Living Centers, organizations
 representing poor people and uninsured people, medical professionals, and
 civil rights organizations.
 
 

SOURCE Californians Against Assisted Suicide