Jenifer Bowen, the former CEO of Iowa Right to Life, is no stranger to the fight for life. For years, she has been a leading voice in the pro-life movement, advocating for the dignity and sanctity of all human life. Now, as she battles cancer, her convictions remain stronger than ever—especially when it comes to the dangers of assisted suicide. Bowen warns that legalizing assisted suicide not only devalues life but also creates a system where people like her are incentivized to choose death over life.
A Dangerous Precedent for the Sick and Vulnerable
As someone who has faced the grim reality of a life-threatening illness, Bowen understands firsthand the pressure that can come with a devastating diagnosis. “I was literally six months from being considered terminal at any point in this battle,” she says. “But at any point, if assisted suicide is legal, I could ask for drugs to end my life, and that would be supported. I wouldn’t have the support of, ‘We’re going to fight for your life.’ I would have the support of certainly, ‘Here is your medication.’”
Bowen’s concerns are not just hypothetical. In states where assisted suicide is legal, there have been cases of insurance companies refusing to cover life-saving treatments while offering to pay for lethal drugs instead. This sends a chilling message: that some lives are simply not worth fighting for. Rather than being encouraged to battle their illnesses, patients are subtly—and sometimes overtly—nudged toward ending their own lives.
Testifying Against Assisted Suicide Legislation
Bowen recently took her fight to Minnesota, where lawmakers were considering bills to legalize assisted suicide. In her testimony, she outlined several key dangers of such legislation. One major concern is how it strips doctors of their ability to focus on true patient care. “You’re stripping tools away from the doctors when you say assisted suicide is an option,” Bowen explained. Instead of being equipped to help patients live with dignity, doctors may feel pressured to offer death as a ‘treatment’ rather than pursuing real solutions for pain management and quality of life.
Another pressing issue is the role of insurance companies. Bowen warns that legalizing assisted suicide creates a financial incentive for insurers to push terminal patients toward death instead of covering expensive medical treatments. “If insurance companies know that assisted suicide is legal … it’s easier for the insurance company to say, ‘Here are your medications to end your life. We’re not going to cover your care, but we will cover the end of your life, your hospice, and all of that.’” This financial motivation puts the most vulnerable—those who are sick, elderly, or disabled—at risk of being coerced into assisted suicide when they might otherwise choose to fight for more time with their loved ones.
The Hardships of Cancer—And the Strength to Keep Fighting
Bowen’s own journey has been marked by unimaginable suffering. Cancer has taken her hair, her teeth, and caused her excruciating pain. She has undergone multiple treatments, including having a rod and screws placed in her left leg. And yet, despite the suffering, she remains steadfast in her belief that life is worth fighting for. She refuses to believe that assisted suicide should ever be presented as an acceptable option.
For Bowen, this is not just a legal or political issue—it’s deeply personal. She acknowledges that there are moments of doubt, times when trusting in God feels difficult. But even in those moments, she clings to the belief that suffering is not without purpose. “I’m up against a battle of a monster, and it’s just brought me closer to God instead of further apart,” she shares. “And I’m so grateful that He has been ever-present in the dark moments, in the middle of the night when I can’t sleep.”
A Call to Protect Life
Bowen’s testimony serves as a powerful reminder that every life is valuable, regardless of illness, suffering, or prognosis. Assisted suicide laws do not offer dignity—they strip it away. Instead of providing real support for those battling illness, such laws create a culture that suggests some lives are more expendable than others.
As Bowen continues her personal fight against cancer, she remains unwavering in her mission: to protect life at all stages and ensure that no one—regardless of their health condition—is made to feel like death is their only option.
Through her advocacy, Bowen calls on lawmakers, medical professionals, and society as a whole to reject assisted suicide and instead focus on providing true care, compassion, and hope for those who need it most. Her fight is far from over, and she stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the immeasurable value of every life.
Source:
- Life Site News, “Pro Life Activist Fighting Cancer Says Assisted Suicide Should Never Be An Option”, June 13, 2022
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I am a passionate pro-life advocate dedicated to defending the dignity of both unborn and born vulnerable populations. As a cancer survivor, my miraculous journey of faith fuels my mission to educate, inspire, and speak the truth. Through my blog, media appearances, and outreach, I strive to equip others to take a stand for life, ensuring that every human being is valued and protected.
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