Legislative Issues
By Dr. Ron Mackey, Vice President, Community Engagement
One of my responsibilities, alongside Dr. Harrison, is to represent our ministry among our legislators at our state capital in Jefferson City. We meet with senators and representatives and testify before committees for or against various legislative measures.
Currently there are two very similar pieces of legislation being presented in the House of Representatives which advocate for legalized assisted suicide. There are 13 states in America that now have legalized assisted suicide. Missouri is one of 19 states that have pending legislative proposals to legalize assisted suicide. Fortunately, the House of Representative bills, one proposed by Rep. Ian Mackey (no relation!) from the St. Louis area, and a second from Rep. Carolyn Caton from the Kansas City area, have not made it out of committee and may not move forward in this legislative session.
Mackey, author of one of the assisted suicide bills, references the high cost of caring for the aging in his argument for assisted suicide. So, this legislation which would end a life is motivated by saving taxpayers money.
We at Baptist Homes are strong and vocal advocates for the right to life from the womb to natural death. Advocates for assisted suicide use colorful euphemisms to describe their practices, but in reality, the laws are often confusing and many who choose assisted suicide do not have terminal illnesses but are dealing with significant psychiatric and mental health issues.
The Psalmist reminds us, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;” (Psalm 139:13-14). Aging does not diminish the value of human life. In fact, scripture teaches us that the aged have much to impart to our society. Leviticus 14:32 encourages rising in the presence of the elderly, framing this respect as a direct fear of God. Job 12:12 states, “Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days.” Paul exhorts us in 2 Corinthians 4, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” He concludes this passage with a beautiful reminder in verse 16, “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.”
Aging is not the enemy of living, nor is it a threat to a meaningful existence. Scripture teaches us that aging is the pathway along which a new and vital understanding of the work of God is experienced. Thus, Baptist Homes and Healthcare Ministries will stand for the aging, speak on behalf of the aging, and most importantly serve, minister, and seek to further the faith of the aging that God has entrusted to our care.
I would encourage you to make a call or write an email to your local representative to share your concern over these proposed assisted suicide measures. Most of our representatives are unaware of this legislation and it would be prudent for them to be informed sooner rather than later.
