As a healthcare worker in Maryland I have witnessed first-hand the profound impact that end-of-life decisions can have on patients and their families. The legalization of physician-assisted suicide is a topic that deeply concerns me.

Physician-assisted suicide involves a doctor providing a patient with the means to end their own life. While some argue this offers individuals autonomy over their bodies and lives, it also raises significant ethical issues. As healthcare professionals, our primary duty is to preserve life, alleviate suffering, and promote health. Assisting in ending a life contradicts these fundamental principles and changes the doctor-patient relationship.

Furthermore, there are risks associated with legalizing physician-assisted suicide including:

1. Impact on Vulnerable Populations: Vulnerable populations, such as the elderly or disabled, could be coerced or pressured into choosing assisted suicide due to societal attitudes, financial pressures, or lack of proper support.  
2. Impact on Trust in Healthcare: The introduction of assisted suicide may affect trust in the healthcare system, as patients may worry about the intentions of medical professionals and fear that their lives are less valued.
3. Misdiagnosis or Prognostic Uncertainty: Medical professionals may misdiagnose a patient's condition or incorrectly predict their life expectancy, leading to the premature choice of assisted suicide.
4. Effect on Palliative Care: Concerns have been raised that legalizing assisted suicide might undermine efforts to improve and expand palliative care services, which aim to alleviate suffering and improve the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses. 
5. Potential for Coercion:  As healthcare workers we are acutely aware of the impact a sick person's family has on their decision making process and there is a distinct risk for coercion or pressure when individuals are already concerned they may be a burden to their families. 

We must consider these risks before making any decision about legalizing such practices.

I urge you to stand against the legalization of physician-assisted suicide in Maryland. Our focus should be on improving palliative care services and ensuring everyone has access to high-quality end-of-life care rather than facilitating assisted suicides. Please sign this petition if you share my concerns.