The California Medical Association says it will sponsor a proposed bill that would prohibit doctors from participating in executions. The effort is prompted by a recent court decision, that ordered physicians to assist in the execution of convicted murderer Michael Morales. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has the story.
Morales' execution was postponed earlier this week after two doctors refused to take part.
The proposed bill would prevent the state from having a doctor play any role in an execution, including determining the time of death.
Dr. Edgar Canada is president of the California Society of Anesthesiologists. He says physicians are committed to preserving life.
And so if you have a physician participating in an execution, you have a physician crossing that line. And I think very few, if any, physicians, would want to be placed in that position.
Canada says the proposed bill is neither pro nor anti death penalty.
Georgia and Illinois have passed similar measures. Kenny Goldberg, KPBS News.
