On behalf of the 2,200 physician members of the Maine Medical Association, I wish to thank Maine voters for their defense of our current code of medical ethics which prohibits a physician from actively assisting a patient in their own suicide. By defeating ballot Question 1, the voters rejected an inexpensive but dangerous alternative to palliative and hospice care for the terminally ill.

We recognize that the question posed a difficult choice for voters and we acknowledge that nearly half of the voters supported the measure. With a question as profound and complex as this one, there really are no winners or losers. About the most positive thing that can be said is that Maine people have now had a conversation about some of the options available at the end of life. These conversations need to continue.

The Maine Medical Association reaffirms its commitment to educate physicians and other caregivers in end of life care, and to convey to the public information about living wills and other advance directives. We will work diligently toward the goal that all Maine citizens have access to the best end of life care possible, in hopes that not a single patient will feel the need to bring about their own death. Brian Jumper, M.D. President Maine Medical Association Manchester