Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997
Latest Action
Became Public Law No: 105-12.
Official Summary
Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997 - Prohibits the use of appropriated funds to provide or pay for any health care item or service or health benefit coverage for the purpose of causing, or assisting to cause, the death of any individual. Sets forth a nonexclusive list of programs, facilities, and personnel to which the prohibition applies, including under Social Security Act titles V (Maternal and Child Health Services), XVIII (Medicare), XIX (Medicaid), and XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services), the Public Health Service Act, the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, and provisions of Federal law relating to Federal employees, the military health care system, veterans medical care, Peace Corps volunteers, and Federal prisoners. Prohibits the use of appropriated funds for: (1) causing or assisting in suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing; (2) compelling any person or entity to provide or fund any item, benefit, program, or service for such purpose; or (3) asserting or advocating a legal right to cause or assist such actions. Sets forth a nonexclusive list of programs to which the prohibition applies, including under specified provisions of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, the Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Individuals Act of 1986, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Older Americans Act of 1965, and the Legal Services Corporation Act. Prohibits the use of appropriated funds for any item or service for the purpose of causing or assisting in the suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing of any individual. Declares that, for this Act, references to appropriated funds include funds appropriated to the District of Columbia under specified provisions of the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act. Declares that this Act supersedes other Federal laws except to the extent such laws specifically supersede this Act. Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize grants and contracts (emphasizing palliative medicine) for: (1) research and projects to reduce the rate of suicide among persons with disabilities or terminal or chronic illness; and (2) demonstration projects to reduce restrictions on access to hospice programs or fund home health care services, community living arrangements, and attendant care services.
GovScope Watchdog™
AI Government Intelligence™The Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997 prohibits the use of federal appropriated funds for any health care services or benefits intended to cause or assist in the death of an individual. It applies to a wide range of federal programs including Medicare, Medicaid, veterans' health care, and others. The Act also authorizes grants for research and projects aimed at reducing suicide rates among persons with disabilities or terminal illnesses and supports hospice and home health care services.
This bill restricts federal funding for assisted suicide-related services while promoting research and care options to reduce suicide and support terminally ill patients.
- Prohibits use of federal funds for causing or assisting suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing across multiple federal health programs.
- Applies restrictions to a broad set of programs including Social Security Act titles, Public Health Service Act, and federal employee health benefits.
- Authorizes grants for research on suicide prevention and demonstration projects to improve access to hospice and home health care services.
Federal agencies administering health and social service programs, patients with disabilities or terminal illnesses through authorized research and care projects, and organizations involved in hospice and home health care may be affected or supported by this legislation.
The bill may raise implementation challenges in defining and enforcing the scope of prohibited funding uses. It does not provide the full text, so details on enforcement mechanisms or exceptions are unclear. The impact on existing programs and funding allocations may require administrative adjustments.
This health-related bill was introduced in the House during the 105th Congress and has passed into law as Public Law No: 105-12 as of April 30, 1997. It reflects legislative action on assisted suicide funding restrictions within federal health policy.
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The bill may indirectly affect how federal health programs allocate resources and manage services related to end-of-life care. It could influence the availability of certain health benefits and promote research and projects focused on suicide prevention and hospice care.
The full bill text is not provided, limiting detailed analysis of enforcement and administrative provisions. Citizens may want to review how the prohibitions are implemented across diverse federal programs and how authorized grants are managed. Monitoring the impact on access to care and program funding over time could be important.
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