Read the latest news articles here. (Latest articles added: 2/10/12)
Who will speak for you?
Imagine you are in an accident tomorrow and so seriously injured that you aren’t able to communicate about your health care wishes for several weeks. Who would make health care decisions for you during that time?
Do you need an advance directive?
The Latest PRC Update (November-December, 2011):
- Major breakthrough in ALS research gives patients new hope for the future
- Massachusetts targeted for initiative drive in 2012
- Vermont official discusses prescribed suicide as a way to cut health care costs
- Campaign for VSED puts vulnerable patients at risk
- Terminal Illness: What does it mean?
- More…
View as PDF
Recent Developments…
THE NETHERLANDS
“Go-ahead for world’s first mobile euthanasia unit that will allow patient to die at home”
(Mail Online –February 10, 2012)
The world’s first mobile team to administer euthanasia in patients’ homes will be launched next month….They are expected to send the number of euthanasia cases in Holland soaring, with pro-campaigners claiming they will end the lives of an additional 1,000 patients a year….It is likely to be used with mentally ill patients of those with early dementia….In Holland, euthanasia is carried out by administering a strong sedative to put the patient in a coma, followed by a drug to stop breathing and cause death.
More on The Netherlands
GEORGIA
“Suicide Law Ruled Unconstitutional”
(Wall Street Journal — February 7, 2012)
Georgia’s highest court has struck down a state law that made it a crime to publicly offer to help people commit suicide, ruling it violated free-speech protections under the Constitution….”The law was unique and I do think the decision was correct,” said Rita Marker, the executive director of the Patients Rights Council…”That said, it’s now open season on vulnerable people in Georgia”….Mrs. Marker said she hoped the Georgia legislature would soon pass a law that addressed suicide itself.
Additional articles about the court’s decision. Text of Court’s opinion.
EUROPE
“French presidential candidate backs euthanasia”
(BioEdge — January 31, 2012)
The left-wing candidate in the French presidential election has strongly endorsed the legalisation of euthanasia if he is elected. Francois Hollande, a Socialist, who will face the incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy, recently revived France’s simmering euthanasia debate.
“European assembly slams euthanasia”
(BioEdge — January 27, 2012)
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has given a big boost to opponents of legalised euthanasia. This body, which (somewhat confusingly) is not part of the European Union, is an advisory body in Strasbourg with more than 300 delegates whose pronouncements on human rights are highly influential in the EU.
VERMONT
“Will Death with Dignity see debate this session”
(WCAX — January 25, 2012)
Advocates hoping to pass a bill giving Vermonters the right to end their own lives may have to wait until 2013. State senators tell WCAX News that support for this controversial bill is dwindling.
More on Vermont
UNITED KINGDOM
“Four patients die thirsty or starving EVERY DAY on our hospital wards show damning new statistics”
(Mail Online — January 22, 2012)
Four patients are dying hungry and thirsty on hospital wards every day, shocking figures reveal. Dehydration or malnutrition directly caused or was linked to 1,316 deaths last year in NHS trusts and privately run hospitals. The revelation follows a series of damning reports accusing staff of failing to address the most basic needs of the vulnerable, particularly the elderly.
More on United Kingdom
BELGIUM
“We have to try harder, say Belgian euthanasia doctors. We’re only #2″
(BioEdge — January 17, 2012)
In the journal Health Policy, researchers associated with the end-of-Life Research Group at Ghent University and the Vrije Universiteit Brussels have lamented the low take-up of the services of doctors specializing in facilitating euthanasia….But if Dutch doctors are # 1, Belgian doctors are going to try harder.
MASSACHUSETTS
“Doctor-prescribed suicide draws ire: Life-ending drugs on 2012 Nov. ballot”
(WWLP Radio — December 8, 2011)
John Kelly was 25-years old when he got into a near-death accident that injured his spinal cord and left him disabled…Today he is the director of Second Thoughts, an organization that champions the rights of disabled persons. “I’m so glad that no one was suggesting that suicide might be a possibility for me,” he said.
Massachusetts Medical Society reaffirms opposition to physician-assisted suicide (WBUR Radio — December 6, 2011)
This weekend, delegates at a major meeting of the Massachusetts Medical Society voted to reaffirm their opposition to physician-assisted suicide. The policy was approved by more than 75 percent of the Society’s delegates.
Analysis of proposed Massachusetts ballot initiative. More on Massachusetts.
Key Objections to the Legalization of Assisted Suicide
Formulated by DREDF (Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund)
WASHINGTON
“Perhaps it’s time to expand Washington’s Death with Dignity Act”
(The Olympian — November 16, 2011)
According to a Washington attorney, “To improve the chances of passage, the Death with Dignity Act was written to apply only to the choices of the terminally ill who are competent at the time of their death.” He now suggests that consideration be given to expanding the law to “persons who are not terminally ill but suffering a severely debilitating medical condition” and to “persons who are not competent at the time of their death.”
More on Washington
From the bookshelf…
Twenty years ago, Ann Humphry, the co-founder of the Hemlock Society (now called Compassion and Choices) committed suicide. Her death made headlines worldwide.
Prior to her death, Ann contacted Rita Marker, a staunch euthanasia opponent. Over time, the two became close friends, and Ann asked Rita to make public secrets about the right-to-die movement — secrets that had weighed heavily on Ann.
Two years after Ann’s tragic death, the book, Deadly Compassion: The Death of Ann Humphry and the Truth About Euthanasia was published. It recounts Ann’s personal story, the founding of the Hemlock Society, and activities of euthanasia and doctor-prescribed suicide advocates. Thousands of copies of the book were sold in the United States, England, Canada and Australia. (Read excerpts from reviews of the book.)
Now, for the first time, you can read Deadly Compassion in its entirety on line in PDF format.
Selected News and Views…
“Medical misdiagnoses can have fatal consequences”
(The State Journal-Register — June 26, 2011)
Stephen Reindl told his mother, Mary Reindl, what he thought would be his final goodbyes after doctors suggested she had fewer than 24 hours to live. Then the case was reviewed by a doctor who bucked what he called “that assumption bandwagon.” Other doctors opposed any further diagnostic tests. Reindl was called into a meeting and told his mother shouldn’t be put through what doctors believed would be a futile procedure. “Each one took a turn trying to grind me down,” Reindl said. “The only time they worked together was when they said she needed to be put down.” Mary Reidl now says, “I’m thankful to be alive. I didn’t realize I was so close to not being alive.”
Note: Article contains suggestions on ways patients can help avoid errors.
“Doctor-Assisted Suicide Is Moral Issue Dividing Americans Most”
(Gallup Poll — May 31, 2011)
Doctor-assisted suicide emerges as the most controversial cultural issue in Gallup’s 2011 Values and Beliefs poll, with Americans divided 45% vs. 48% over whether it is morally acceptable (45%) or morally wrong (48%).
The number of people favoring doctor-assisted suicide has fallen from a high of 53% in 2004 to a low of 45% in 2011. Individuals who are 55 and over are the least likely to favor doctor-assisted suicide.
“How to Die in Oregon — or how to sidestep hard questions”
(Washington Post — May 27, 2011)
Thursday night, HBO aired “How to Die in Oregon”, the winner of this year’s Grand Jury Prize in the documentary category at Sundance. The film, although emotionally powerful, is intellectually flabby, repeatedly shirking weight questions surrounding the end of life.
Important…
Reported PAS Deaths in OR & WA (April 2010)
“Public health, populations and lethal ingestion”
( Disability and Health Journal – - January , 2010 )
Public health should address institutionalized violations of data integrity and patient vulnerabilities, while rescinding policy supporting the institutionalization of lethal means. More
“Assisted suicide laws create discriminatory double standard”
( Disability and Health Journal – January , 2010 )
Double standard for who gets suicide prevention and who gets suicide assistance. More
“No, we don’t think our doctors are out to get us”
( Disability and Health Journal – January , 2010 )
Responding to the straw man distortions of disability rights arguments against assisted suicide. More
“Killing us softly”
( Disability and Health Journal – January, 2010 )
Impact of legalized assisted suicide on people with disabilities and the broader public. More
“Physician-Assisted Suicide in Oregon: A Medical Perspective”
( Michigan Law Review, Vol. 106 – June 8, 2008 )
While previous articles have examined assisted suicide from legal and ethical perspectives, this article examines the Oregon law from a medical perspective. More
“Euthanasia, Assisted Suicide & Health Care Decisions: Protecting Yourself & Your Family.”
Part 1: Detailed and extensively documented report about the latest in attempts to legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia, along with tips for addressing these topics.
Part 2: Facts and practical information about advance directives including the difference between the Living Will and the Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care.
MASSACHUSETTS
“Drive begins to put assisted suicide law on ballot next year”
(Boston Globe — August 4, 2011)
Backers of doctor-prescribed suicide have launched the first part of the process to put what they call the “Death with Dignity Act” on the 2012 ballot.
More on Massachusetts
