The Catholic health care ministry has long supported public policies and programs that address the special needs of persons at the end of life. In the face of repeated attempts to legalize assisted suicide in California, the Ministry must be proactive in promoting positive alternatives to this troubling policy proposal. The Alliance and the Catholic health ministry will continue to promote the implementation of Physicians Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) throughout California, including implementation of policies and engagement in community coalitions, and will continue to provide leadership to statewide palliative care and end of life coalitions.
| Ethical and Religious Directive 58 | |
 Q&A Ethical and Religious Directive 58 |
| POLST Forms/Information | |
| CA POLST Form - Updated April 2011 |
Revised CA POLST - Summary of Changes |
| POLST Reflects Patient Wishes - CHAUS Article |
Model Policy for General Acute Care Hospitals |
| Pallative Care | |
| The State of Pallative Care in California's Catholic Hospitals - 09/08 |
When Compassion Is The Cure: The Case for Hospital-Based Pallative Care - 2008 |
| Physician Assisted Suicide | |
| AB 374: Compassionate Choice Act Policy Deficiencies |
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