The California Medical Association (CMA) often surveys physicians on critical issues facing our state and the medical profession. The latest survey will include questions on the death penalty to ensure that CMA policy is in line with the views of physicians across the state. Over the next few days, physicians will receive an e-mail with a unique survey link to respond to the survey.

Current CMA policy states that physicians should not participate in executions and should explore all reasonable avenues to exclude physicians from participating in executions (HOD 523-96). CMA policy also states that no physician is ethically obligated or should be compelled to participate in the administration or withdrawal of any medical treatment or procedure, as ordered by a court, in violation of the physician's own moral or ethical principles, including execution by injection.  CMA does not currently have a position on whether the death penalty in California should be retained or abolished.

We urge all physicians to participate in this survey to voice your views on this important issue, and ensure that the views of your medical association accurately reflect those of you and your fellow physicians.