Solidarity HealthShare Founder Speaking Out Against "Assisted Suicide" Laws; Calls on Legislators to Stop Silencing the Dying

TEMPE, Ariz., May 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Chris Faddis, co-founder of Solidarity HealthShare, says it's time for Catholics to defend and protect the terminally ill by respecting the dignity of each dying person, not accelerating their death.

Recently, New Jersey's Catholic Governor signed an assisted suicide law after "careful prayer." Such laws are now legal in eight states, four others are considering passing similar measures.

Faddis, told CNA the experience of the suffering and death of his own wife committed him to protect the dying's dignity and led to his founding Solidarity. He believes the increase in social and legal acceptance of assisted suicide is fueled by a lack of ethical and affordable healthcare options and by the dying's misbelief that they are a burden.

Chris told EWTN's News Nightly Anchor Lauren Ashburn, "My late wife Angela, like many dying patients, often feel they are a burden. We reminded her she wasn't a burden but a blessing, that there was purpose in giving her time to spend with our small children and prepare to meet God, not hasten her death."

Insurance companies in many of the states where "aid in dying" laws exist, are now denying care to terminally ill patients, and are instead offering them the "pill" to end their life. Faddis, warns that the disabled, elderly and other vulnerable people face greater pressure to terminate their lives.

Solidarity does not pay for health services that are contrary to Catholic teaching, such as abortion, or euthanasia. When members are diagnosed with terminal illnesses, care team members work to ensure they are directed to specific palliative care physicians who will not encourage assisted suicide.

"In all ways, we lead our members to the options that are going to respect life, that are going to promote their dignity. We provide care management; we provide hospice services. We encourage and pray for them," said Faddis.

Faddis believes the Catholic community needs to speak out against the growing culture of death and give greater support for increased access to palliative care enabling patients to live each final day with dignity, compassion and love.

Solidarity HealthShare is a healthcare sharing ministry that offers its members an affordable and ethical way to pay for healthcare. Based on the social and moral doctrine of the Catholic Church, we protect our members' well- formed consciences by sharing in the costs of life-affirming healthcare, and by refusing to participate in unethical medical practices. Our mission is to restore and rebuild an authentic Catholic healthcare culture that promotes the sanctity of all human life, while facilitating the sharing of our members' medical expenses.

SOURCE Solidarity HealthShare