Patients Rights Council

“Go-ahead for world’s first mobile euthanasia unit that will allow patients to die at home”

prc — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:13:59 +0000

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 or 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.

Mail Online
“Go-ahead for world’s first mobile euthanasia unit that will allow patients to die at home”
February 10, 2012
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“Personal liberties take center stage”

prc — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:05:43 +0000

(Scroll down to read “Death with Dignity” news.)
Lawmakers were also asked to weigh in on so-called “Death with dignity” legislation that has been introduced again in both the House and Senate this year. State Sen. Harold Giard. D-Bridport, said the bill rests in the Senate Judiciary Committee and, in assessing the current feelings of his colleagues, believes the initiative would be defeated in the Legislature’s upper chamber if it were brought to a vote this week.

Addison County Independent
“Personal liberties take center stage”
February 10, 2012
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“Suicide Law Ruled Unconstitutional”

prc — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:38:25 +0000

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 the 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.”

Wall Street Journal
“Suicide Law Ruled Unconstitutional”
February 7, 2012
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“Court overturns assisted suicide restrictions”

prc — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:02:53 +0000

Georgia’s top court struck down a state law that restricted assisted suicides, siding on Monday with four members of group that helped a cancer-stricken man die and said the law violated their free speech rights.

USA Today
“Court overturns assisted suicide restrictions”
February 6, 2012
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“‘Euthanasia on wheels’ starts next month”

prc — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:50:33 +0000

Six specialised euthanasia teams consisting of one doctor and one nurse will begin making house calls in the Netherlands next month.

Radio Netherlands Worldwide
“‘Euthanasia on wheels’ starts next month”
February 6, 2012
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“Ga. court overturns assisted suicide restrictions”

prc — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:44:50 +0000

The challenge was brought by four members of the network who were arrested in February 2009 after John Celmer’s death at his north Georgia home.

MSNBC
“Ga. court overturns assisted suicide restrictions”
February 6, 2012
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“Court strikes down Georgia’s assisted-suicide law”

prc — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:01:33 +0000

The Georgia Supreme Court on Monday unanimously struck down a key provision of a state law that criminalized some assisted suicides, finding it violates free speech rights….A key state lawmaker, Rich Golick, a Smyrna Republican who chairs the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee, said he anticipates the General Assembly will consider new assisted suicide legislation this session.

Atlanta Journal Constitution
“Court strikes down Georgia’s assisted-suicide law”
February 6, 2012
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“Georgia Court Rejects Law Aimed at Assisted Suicide”

prc — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:37:10 +0000

“Essentially, Georgia is now in the position of being the wild, wild West for those who are promoting doctor-assisted suicide,” said Rita Marker, executive director of the Patients Rights Council. “It opens the floodgates for anyone who wants to do this sort of activity, and that is especially troubling for vulnerable populations.”

New York Times
“Georgia Court Rejects Law Aimed at Assisted Suicide”
February 6, 2012
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“Georgia Supreme Court Throws Out Law Banning Assisted Suicide Advertising”

prc — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:28:02 +0000

The case stemmed from the 2010 prosecution of Dr. Lawrence Egbert, medical director for Final Exit Network….Thirty-nine states have enacted laws that criminalize assisted suicide, according to the Patients Rights Council. Oregon and Washington have passed “Death with Dignity” statutes deeming physician-assisted suicide a medical treatment under some circumstances.

Bloomberg
“Georgia Supreme Court Throws Out Law Banning Assisted Suicide Advertising”
February 6, 2012
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“Georgia’s top state court strikes down assisted suicide restrictions over free speech concerns”

prc — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:57:35 +0000

The court’s opinion found that lawmakers could have imposed a ban on all assisted suicides with no restriction of free speech, or sought to prohibit all offers to assist in suicide that were followed by the act.

Washington Post
“Georgia’s top state court strikes down assisted suicide restrictions over free speech concerns”
February 6, 2012
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