Background
In Massachusetts, more people die annually from suicide than from motor vehicle accidents. [CDC National Vital Statistics Reports, Apr. 24, 2008] In 2007, the state’s suicide rate (8.0 per 100,000 people) was almost three times higher than the homicide rate (2.9 per 100,000 people).
According to Elder Abuse Daily, more than 1 in 10 Massachusetts elder are victims of abuse.
Current law regarding assisted suicide
Assisted suicide, including doctor-prescribed suicide, is a common law crime in Massachusetts.
INITIATIVE PETITION TO PLACE DOCTOR-PRESCRIBED SUICIDE ON 2012 BALLOT
On August 2, 2011, supporters of doctor-prescribed suicide filed a petition seeking to put a measure called the Massachusetts “Death With Dignity Act” on the 2012 ballot. The proposal is virtually identical to their previous legislative attempts and mirrors the Oregon and Washington laws by the same name. The process for the measure actually reaching the voters requires several steps:
- The legal language on the petition must be approved by Attorney General Martha Coakley.
- The signatures of at least 68,911 registered voters must be obtained by mid-November.
- If the signature drive is successful, lawmakers have until May 2012 to either back the proposal, offer an alternative proposal, or permit the measure to go onto the November 2012 ballot.
- If the measure gets the go ahead to be placed on the November 2012 ballot, an addition 11,485 signatures must be collected.
On September 7, 2011, Attorney General Martha Coakley certified the initiative petition (Petition Number 11-12). Attorney General’s Summary.
Analysis of Initiative 11-12, the Massachusetts “Death with Dignity Act”
Legislative attempts to permit doctor-prescribed suicide
Bills were proposed in:
1995 (H 3173)
1997 (H 1543)
2009 (H 1468)
2011 (H 2233)
Articles
“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.
“She pushed for legal right to die, and — thankfully — was rebuffed”
(Boston Globe — October 4, 2011)
I am a retired person living in Oregon, where assisted suicide is legal. Our law was enacted through a ballot initiative that I voted for…. If my doctor had believed in assisted suicide, I would be dead. I thank him and all my doctors for helping me choose “life with dignity.” Assisted suicide should not be legal. I hope Massachusetts does not make this terrible mistake.
“Democracy unleashed”
(Boston Herald — August 15, 2011)
Many successful advocates simply use ballot measures to backstop their legislative efforts, upping the pressure on lawmakers who’d rather not deal with an issue unless they absolutely have to.
“Drive begins to put assisted suicide law on the ballot next year”
(Boston Globe — August 4, 2011)
Backers of assisted suicide for certain terminally ill patients filed paperwork yesterday with Attorney General Martha Coakley to begin the process of bringing their plan, dubbed the Death with Dignity Act to the 2012 ballot.
“Backers of assisted suicide want 2012 ballot question in Mass.”
(Milford Daily News — August 4, 2011)
A ballot question that would pave the way for assisted suicide for some terminally ill patients in Massachusetts could land in front of voters next year. Rep. Louis Kafka, D-Stoughton, who filed a bill earlier this year that resembles the assisted suicide ballot proposal, said the ballot initiative could draw more attention to the issue.
