Press Release: Disability Rights Coalition Challenges Discriminatory Sections of Canada’s Assisted Dying Law in Court

Krista Carr pictured left and quoted below.  

A coalition of disability rights organizations and two personally affected individuals have filed a Charter challenge with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. They oppose Track 2 of Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) law, which provides assisted suicide to people with a disability who are not dying, or whose death is not “reasonably foreseeable.”

The coalition includes national disability organizations Inclusion Canada, the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD), Indigenous Disability Canada (IDC/BCANDS), and DAWN Canada, as well as two individuals who have been harmed by Track 2 MAiD.

The organizations assert that Track 2 MAiD has resulted in premature deaths and an increase in discrimination and stigma towards people with disabilities across the country. While they are not challenging MAiD Track 1 in this case, they recognize that it too can pose significant problems for people with disabilities. Track 2 MAiD has had a direct negative impact on the lives of people with disabilities.

Opinion: Michigan Right-to-Die Legislation Must Consider Concerns of African Americans

In the 1990s, Royal Oak’s Dr. Jack Kevorkian put a national spotlight on the debate over the right of terminally ill patients to die with the aid of a physician. As Democrats reclaim their majority in the state Legislature, Michigan may be at the epicenter of this conversation again. 

Last fall, a group of Democrats introduced the Michigan Death With Dignity Act, which would legalize physician-assisted dying, also known as medical aid in dying [, assisted suicide and euthanasia].

Patients with a terminal condition, expected to die within six months, would be able to request that a participating doctor write them a prescription for drugs that, when self-administered and ingested, would allow the patient to die on the date of their choosing.

Terri Laws [pictured here] is an associate professor of African and African American studies at the University of Michigan-Dearborn:

Many Michiganders will see this legislation as reasonable and compassionate. To others, however, often people of color, this legislation is more complicated.

Some fear doctors and insurance companies may deny them lifesaving treatments and steer them toward assisted suicide instead. Others are concerned that legalization will normalize this type of death as the “correct” way to approach the end of life, when their cultural beliefs and practices tell them otherwise.

Delaware General Assembly Will Not Override Governor's Veto

Amanda Fries, Delaware News Journal

The Delaware General Assembly will not hold a special session to override Gov. John Carney’s recent veto of a bill that would have given terminally ill Delawareans’ end-of-life options. [Carney pictured right]

House Speaker Valerie Longhurst said Friday that she remains supportive of House Bill 140 but decided not to call a special session because neither the Senate nor the House of Representatives have the votes necessary to override the veto. 

*Photo by Benjamin Chambers/Delaware News Journal

Delaware Lawmaker & Former Insurance Agent Concerned About Adult Children

One of the reasons Delaware Governor John Carney gave for vetoing HB 140 is that he did not believe that a consensus had been reached on this issue. Carney noted that the legislation was passed by "just one vote."

A different argument was presented by State Rep. Rich Collins [pictured left], who has been a vocal opponent of the bill, citing concerns that it could lead to seniors being coerced into prematurely ending their lives. Collins stated:

"I was an insurance agent for 37 years, and I sold life insurance and investments,” he told his colleagues in the chamber. “I had situations during my career where…the children of an older person made it clear they wanted their parents to go [die] because of the money. I have a lot of concerns about some people’s motives.”

Delaware Governor Vetoes Medical-Aid-in-Dying Legislation; Discussion Begins of Possible Override

By Mark Fowser

Click here to view the entire article as published.

Governor John Carney Friday vetoed legislation that would have allowed people with a terminal illness who are able to make sound decisions for themselves to get access to medication that would end their lives.

House Bill 140  received final legislative approval in the State Senate in late June. However, it underwent several amendments and the issue has been debated for years.

Carney said in his veto message that he recognizes that it is a deeply personal matter, and he appreciates the thoughtful debate. However, he said he is "fundamentally and morally opposed" to the idea of state law enabling someone to take their own life - "even under tragic and painful circumstances."

Carney's action returns the bill to the House of Representatives. His second term as governor ends in January 2025.

Terminally Ill Patients From Other States Can't Come to New Jersey to End Their Lives, Court Rules

Contribution by Chris Sheldon, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com.

A federal judge ruled today that the residency requirement in New Jersey's medical aid in dying law does not violate the US Constitution, meaning the state can keep its right to die law exclusively for residents.

The lawsuit was the third in the nation to challenge a medical aid-in-dying law’s residency requirement, which is required in ten states: Oregon, Washington, California, Colorado, Hawaii, New Jersey, Maine, Montana, New Mexico and Vermont, and Washington D.C., officials said.

Liz Carr: "Better Off Dead?"

A documentary on assisted suicide, authored by actor and disability rights activist Liz Carr.

We may be used to seeing Liz in dramas such as Silent Witness, Good Omens or The Witcher, but now she’s stepping away from the spotlight to pursue her greatest passion – debating why she believes we shouldn’t legalise assisted suicide. As a long-term campaigner against that change, Liz fears disabled lives will be put at risk if the law is altered.

Travelling to Canada, Liz explores the repercussions of some of the most permissive assisted suicide laws in the world. Here Liz is confronted with a law that can end the lives of not just the terminally ill but people who are disabled and those who are offered a medically assisted death as a ‘way out’ of social deprivation.

DeSantis Takes Charge after Trump Assassination Attempt — then Points out Glaring Problem with Feds Leading Investigation

By Julio Rosas, 09/17/24

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) officially announced on Tuesday that statewide law enforcement agencies will conduct their own investigation into the second assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump since the most egregious crime affiliated with the incident, attempted murder, falls under Florida's jurisdiction.

"The suspect, Ryan Routh, is believed to have committed state law violations across multiple judicial circuits in this state, Palm Beach judicial circuit, judicial circuits including Martin County, as well as, perhaps, the judicial circuit represented by Broward County. I directed state agencies to move expeditiously and provide full transparency to the public," DeSantis explained.

DeSantis said he does not believe it is in the best interest of the nation for the FBI and the Department of Justice to lead the investigation considering that those same agencies are trying to prosecute Trump in Florida. DeSantis pointed to how there are still unanswered questions from the FBI on the 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas and the first assassination attempt on Trump in July.

Not Dead Yet: Baby Simon Withered Away Due to Hospital Imposed Starvation

By Lisa Blumberg (pictured right).

Trisomy 18 is a genetic condition that usually results in physical health problems and cognitive limitations. Life expectancy is currently shorter than typical but people can live into their 20’s and 30’s and one American with trisomy 18, Megan Hayes, celebrated her fortieth birthday with fanfare. Unfortunately, it seems that this information has been slow to percolate down to medical professionals.

When Simon Crosier was born in 2010, he was given full care until he was diagnosed with trisomy 18 at three days old. His parents, Sheryl and Scott Crosier were then told, “your child is now incompatible with life.”

Trump Says He’s ‘Safe and Well’ After Apparent 2nd Assassination Attempt

Former President Donald Trump said in an emailed statement that he is safe, after the FBI said that it is investigating a suspected assassination attempt after shots were reported in his vicinity at his Florida golf course.

“The FBI has responded to West Palm Beach Florida and is investigating what appears to be an attempted assassination of former President Trump,” the FBI said in a statement to The Epoch Times.

A representative of U.S. Secret Service said at a news conference on Sept. 15 that Secret Service personnel opened fire on a suspected gunman “located near the property line” of the Trump International Golf Course, adding that it’s under investigation.

Free Online Workshop Addressing Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia for Persons with Eating Disorders

Invitation by Dr. Mark Komrad (pictured here). *

The event will take place online via Zoom on Saturday, September 21st 2024 | 10:00AM - 11:15AM EST.  The cost is FREE.

To register for panel discussions, please click this link twice:

https://form.jotform.com/242265807481965

For more information, please see below.

As the UK Debates Euthanasia, Canada's Euthanasia Reality is Relevant. Zoom Event 09/16/24.

The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition (EPC) is hosting a Zoom event on Monday September 16 2024 at 12 noon  (Eastern time) with Kevin Yuill. (Pictured here).

Yuill is an emeritus professor of history at the University of Sunderland and CEO of Humanists Against Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia (HAASE). Yuill is also the author of the book: "Assisted Suicide: The Liberal, Humanist Case Against Legalization."

Register in advance for this meeting: (Registration Link). After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing the link to join the meeting.

Yuill is a world leader in opposing euthanasia and assisted suicide and is working with several groups to prevent the legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide in Britain, Scotland, Ireland, etc.

Canada's Growing Euthanasia Program

By Dr Paul Saba (pictured left).

When Canada legalized assisted dying/suicide/euthanasia in 2016, it was supposed to be for only a “few” terminal illness patients with only days to live. As of December 31, 2023 approximately 60,000 Canadians had their lives ended by physician assisted dying (at the end of 2022 there were 44,958 assisted medical deaths). (Article Link).

Canada is the fastest growth assisted dying/suicide/euthanasia deaths of all countries where it has been legalized. 

Since March of 2021 the law has been further expanded to those with disabilities with decades to live and in 2027 those with only mental illness will be eligible for assisted suicide.

Quebec Scheduled to Begin Granting Requests for Assisted Suicide & Euthanasia (MAID)

By Joe Bongiorno, The Canadian Press 

MONTREAL — Quebecers who want to arrange a medically assisted death before their condition leaves them unable to grant consent can do so as of next month, the province announced Saturday as it unveiled details of a plan to grant such requests without waiting for Ottawa to update the country’s criminal code.

[Quebec Premier Francois Legault, left, walks to a cabinet meeting with Quebec Health Minister Christian Dube in Quebec City]

Quebec’s government said last month it would stop waiting for the federal government to implement the requested amendments and forge ahead with plans to grant early MAID requests. On Saturday, the province announced such requests could be granted as of Oct. 30.

Euthanasia: Canada's Doctors Can Kill You

Original publication, 09/03/24  

By Alex Schadenberg

Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

An article by Nicholas Tomaino that was published by WSJ.com on September 2, 2024 titled: Welcome to Canada, the Doctor Will Kill You Now exposes how Canada legalized euthanasia (MAiD). Tomaino writes:

Canada has undergone a crash course in what the country calls “medical assistance in dying,” or MAID. The experiment began in 2015, when the Canadian Supreme Court ruled in Carter v. Canada that “laws prohibiting physician-assisted dying interfere with the liberty and security” of people with “grievous and irremediable” medical conditions. Parliament codified the decision the following year.

Lawmakers thought they were imposing limits. “We do not wish to promote premature death as a solution to all medical suffering,” then-Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould said. The plaintiff’s lead lawyer in Carter argued that “in almost every case,” doctors will want to “help their patients live, not die.” “We know physicians will be reluctant gatekeepers.”

New Jersey Update

By Alex Schadenberg (pictured at right)*

The New Jersey 2023 assisted suicide report states that there were 101 reported assisted suicide deaths in 2023 up from 91 in 2022. Assisted suicide started in New Jersey on April 12, 2019.  According to the report:

101 people were known to have died by assisted suicide, 

13 people received the lethal poison but died a natural death, 

3 people received the lethal poison but had not died and 

2 people received the lethal poison and died but the cause of death is unknown.

When the cause of death is unknown, it usually means that no report was submitted. Therefore it may have been an assisted suicide death, but no report was filed.

Ex-Doctor Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter in Connection with Suicide of Upstate New York Woman

BY  MICHAEL HILL 

Updated 2:57 PM MDT, September3, 2024

KINGSTON, N.Y. (AP) — An 85-year-old former doctor from Arizona charged for his role in the suicide of a woman in an upstate New York motel room pleaded guilty to manslaughter Tuesday under an agreement that spares him from prison.

Stephen Miller, of Tucson, was arrested earlier this year on a charge of second-degree manslaughter under a provision of New York law that allows the charge for intentionally causing or aiding another person’s suicide.

Under a plea agreement, Miller was sentenced to five years of probation after his guilty plea in state court. His attorney said Miller is infirm and did not want to die in prison.

West Virginia Ballot Initiative Would Prohibit Euthanasia

By Alex Schadenberg  (pictured right)

The Washington Stand published an article by Sarah Holliday on September 2, 2024 that reports on the West Virginia Ballot Amendment 1 which, if passed, would prohibit euthanasia and assisted suicide in the state constitution.

Holliday reports:

Amendment 1 has recently been added to the state’s November ballot with the intention of providing “protection against medically assisted suicide.” Ultimately, “the amendment just places what’s already illegal in West Virginia into the state constitution for more security going forward,” said Pat McGeehan (R), a West Virginia state delegate, on Tuesday’s episode of “Washington Watch.” If this amendment is passed, West Virginia would become the first state to amend their constitution to prohibit assisted suicide.

Disability Rights Opponents of Assisted Suicide Are Not a “Vocal Minority”

By Meghan Schrader [pictured right]  

Original publication 08/01/24

Meghan is an autistic person who is an instructor at E4 - University of Texas (Austin) and an EPC [Euthanasia Prevention Coalition]-USA board member.

Over and over again assisted suicide proponents claim that disabled people who oppose assisted suicide are a “vocal minority.” For instance, American euthanasia advocate Thaddeus Mason Pope ridiculously wrote on X that “millions” of disabled people want the right to have “MAiD.” Well, it’s not true. 

Off Topic: The Bombing

By Margaret Dore, Esq.

My mother had always thought that Silas "Trim" Bissell of the Bissell Vacuum Fortune, and of the SDS, (Students for a Democratic Society), had bombed our Seattle home.

The bomb, dynamite, had been thrown on the roof above my parents' bedroom closet adjacent to our carport. She was home with my four siblings. My father, a state legislator, and I were in the state capitol, staying at different places. I was 12 years old.  It was 1970.

A Thump on the Roof

My mother told me that she had heard a thump on the roof above her bedroom closet, which had caused her to put her head in the closet, under the bomb, to try and figure out what had caused the noise.

She then went outside the house and into our carport, once again, physically placing herself under the bomb.

Blinded by Tradition: The Politics Of Medicine vs. Optometry

By Margaret K. Dore, Esq., MBA

AS PUBLISHED IN THE JOURNAL OF OPTOMETRIC VISION DEVELOPMENT. *

THE CASE HISTORY

As a child, I had double vision when I looked at an object close to my face, for example, a pencil or a finger. I now understand that this was due to “convergence insufficiency.” My eyes had an inability to converge (come together) at near. With convergence insufficiency, a person’s ability to read can be compromised. But I had a milder version and was a good reader.

As a college student, I noticed a change. To study took more effort and had I thought about it, I no longer read much for pleasure. I now understand that college reading demands were overloading my compromised visual system. My ability to read and comprehend was gradually decreasing. In short, it was becoming harder for me to learn.

Delaware Medical-Aid-in-Dying Bill (Assisted Suicide & Euthanasia) in Limbo

By Melissa Steele, July 26, 2024.

The Cape Gazette  

The fate of medical-aid-in-dying bill that cleared the General Assembly in June is uncertain as it has yet to be delivered to Gov. John Carney to sign.

Sponsor of the bill, Rep. Paul Baumbach, D-Newark, said July 15, the bill still resides in the House.

“Thus far, the governor has not led me to believe that he will sign the bill when it makes it to his desk,” Baumbach said.

Baumbach did not say when he plans to deliver the bill to the governor, or whether he has heard if Carney will veto it.

California: Plaintiffs Appeal Dismissal of Assisted Suicide Lawsuit Under the ADA and US Constitution

Diane Coleman, President and CEO of  NDY (Not Dead Yet) [pictured right]

* * *

Today, the 34th Anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is the the perfect day for an update on the groundbreaking lawsuit, United Spinal v. California, which challenges the California assisted suicide law as violations of the ADA and the U.S. Constitution's Due Process and Equal Protection provisions. The federal District Court dismissed the lawsuit in the spring and plaintiffs promptly gave notice that we would appeal. This week, United Spinal Association, Not Dead Yet and the other plaintiffs filed our appeal. Here is the press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Disability Organizations and Individuals Partner to Appeal the Deadly and Discriminatory Public Policy of Physician-Assisted Suicide California Law Unlawful and Unconstitutional.