Actor/Activist Martin Sheen Voices Opposition to Assisted Suicide in Washington State

The Coalition Against Assisted Suicide has started an advertising campaign featuring actor/activist Martin Sheen. Sheen alerts voters to the problems with Initiative 1000 (I-1000) in a powerful radio spot.

Known for his support and involvement in progressive causes off-camera, Sheen explained his desire to make this statement in a press release from the Coalition:

“I try to work when I’m not on the screen to help improve conditions for the most vulnerable people in our country — low wage workers, immigrants, the disabled and the poor,” Sheen said. “We have a health care system where the more money you have, the better medical care you receive. Initiative 1000 is a dangerous idea — because so many people do not have the money necessary to get the care they need. When I heard about Initiative 1000, I wanted to help stop it before it harms people who are at risk.”

There’s a button to play the ad on the same page linked above. But for those unable to hear the ad or to access the player for whatever reason, here is a transcript of Sheen’s radio ad:

Hello, this is Martin Sheen with an urgent message about Initiative 1000. It’s a dangerous idea that could hurt thousands of low-income people who need medical care. It’s a step backwards and I urge you to vote “no.”

Initiative 1000 would open up a loophole that health care insurers could exploit to cut payments for the disabled and the working poor, encouraging them to use assisted suicide. This is exactly the wrong direction for real health care in America.

We have a long way to go to fix our health care system and guarantee coverage for everyone; and we’ve fought hard for the protections and care we do have. But Initiative 1000 is not an answer. It’s opposed by nurses, disability groups and the 9000 doctors in the Washington State Medical Association. People who are ill need real medical care and compassion, not lethal drugs.

Again, I’m Martin Sheen urging you to vote “no” on Initiative 1000 and thank you.

This isn’t the first time that Sheen has lent his voice – or his signature – in opposing the promotion of assisted suicide and/or euthanasia. In 2000, he was one of many prominent human rights activists to sign onto a response to the “Citizen Activist” award given to Jack Kevorkian by the Gleitsman Foundation in 2000. The response, titled “PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ARE ENTITLED TO DIGNITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE: A STATEMENT IN OPPOSITION TO HONORING DR. JACK KEVORKIAN” is still viewable online.