For at least the fifth consecutive legislative session, bills that would open the door to doctors prescribing lethal doses for terminally ill patients were dropped from consideration by the Public Health Committee. Bills (H 1194/S 1225) that would have legalized medical aid in dying — sometimes referred to as doctor-assisted suicide or death with dignity …
Assisted suicide bill dies in Massachusetts Legislature Read More »
The Connecticut legislature through its Public Health Committee is again considering legalizing assisted suicide despite such efforts having repeatedly failed in the past. People who have always been able to get the healthcare they want may assume assisted suicide is a choice issue, but persons who have struggled to get care that is free from …
Forum: Why the disability community opposes doctor assisted suicide Read More »
We are saddened by the result of today’s vote to legalize assisted suicide in Hawaii which unfairly puts vulnerable lives at risk for abuse and coercion. With good reason, twenty-nine states in 2017 and seven so far in 2018 defeated bills that would legalize assisted suicide either by vote or inaction. Last year, a panel …
PRAF Responds to Hawaii Senate Passage of Assisted Suicide Read More »
On March 20, Second Thoughts Connecticut members held a press conference and testified against an assisted suicide bill, HB 5417 at a joint Public Health Committee hearing. Channel 8 covered their testimony: ‘Aid in dying’ bill back before lawmakers. They also interviewed Cathy Ludlum and Elaine Kolb. NDY also submitted written testimony. Although the major …
Connecticut News: Strong Disability Advocacy and Great Result Read More »
Legislation to authorize physician-assisted suicide is dead in Massachusetts, after the proposal was sent to a study committee late last week, effectively ending the bill’s chance at enactment this session. The aid-in-dying bills H1194 and S1225 would have given doctors the ability to prescribe life-ending drugs to terminally ill patients who wish to die and …
Physician-assisted suicide bill dies in Massachusetts Read More »
When the Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) voted in December to rescind its longstanding opposition to physician-assisted suicide, it appeared to be an important turning point for those who believe the option should be legal for the terminally ill. But the debate among members about whether adopting a position of “neutral engagement,” which neither favors nor …
As public sentiment changes, some Mass. docs say ‘no’ to assisted suicide Read More »
“We welcome the Massachusetts Health Committee’s unanimous vote to send dangerous, regressive bills H1194/S1225 to ‘study’, effectively killing the push for legalized doctor assisted suicide for the session. We are grateful to Massachusetts Alliance Against Doctor-Prescribed Suicide, John Kelly and all of Second Thoughts Massachusetts, a cross disability coalition, Drs. Laura Petrillo, Mark Rollo, and …
Once again, a bill in Connecticut legalizing physician-assisted suicide was the subject of discussion at a public hearing on Tuesday, March 20. This year, it is HB 5417, with the Orwellian name, “An Act Concerning End-of-Life Care.” The well-funded “Compassion and Choices” and Secular Coalition of Connecticut promoters of this bill are trying to rally …
Physician-assisted suicide harms the poor, elderly and disabled Read More »
The “Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act (A-1504)” is sponsored by Assemblyman John Burzichelli, a Gloucester County Democrat. Last Monday, the assembly’s Judiciary Committee advanced the bill by a vote of 5-2. The measure has failed in previous assembly attempts at passage during the Chris Christie administration. Its advocates hope that Gov. Phil …
Assisted Suicide’s ‘Slippery Slope’ Prompts Concern From Orthodox Jews Read More »
PO Box 4994, New York, NY 10185 609.759.0322 March 20, 2018 Dear Friend, As we mourn the loss of our late president, JJ Hanson, champion for patients and tireless opponent of assisted suicide laws, we are resolved to carry on his mission with purpose. Assisted suicide laws are dangerous because they make suicide a medical …