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.”