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The
Aging Network
Information Memoranda
June 12, 1997
INFORMATION MEMORANDUM
AoA-IM-97-11
TO: STATE AND AREA AGENCIES ON AGING AND TRIBAL ORGANIZATIONS
ADMINISTERING PLANS UNDER TITLES III AND VI OF THE OLDER AMERICANS
ACT OF 1965, AS AMENDED
SUBJECT: President's Signing of the Assisted Suicide
Funding Restriction Act of 1997
LEGAL AND RELATED REFERENCES: Public Law 105-12, the
Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997
On April 30, 1997, the President signed into law H.R. 1003, the
Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997. The legislation
essentially reaffirms current federal policy prohibiting the use
of federal funds to pay for assisted suicide, euthanasia, or mercy
killing. For your information, we are providing a copy of the
President's statement and a copy of P.L. 105-12.
Of particular interest is Section 5(a)(3) of the Act which also
prohibits the use of taxpayer funds for advocacy in support of
legal protection for these activities. More specifically, it states
that, "taxpayer funds will not be used to subsidize legal
assistance or other forms of advocacy in support of legal protection
for assisted suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing." The
President's statement goes on to say that these restrictions do
not include forums for the free exchange of ideas on these matters,
nor does it impose restrictions on the use of nonfederal funds.
INQUIRIES: Inquiries should be addressed to
Regional Administrators on Aging, DHHS Regional Offices.
William F. Benson
Acting Principal Deputy Assistant
Secretary for Aging
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