Category Archives: Massachusetts

More Disability Testimonies Opposing Massachusetts Assisted Suicide Bill

On October 1, 2021, the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Public Health held a hearing on An Act relative to end of life options (H. 2381 and S. 1384). We previously featured testimonies this bill to legalize assisted suicide by John B. Kelly, Director of Second Thoughts MA: Disability Rights Advocates against Assisted Suicide and Lindsay … Continue reading More Disability Testimonies Opposing Massachusetts Assisted Suicide Bill

Nat’l Council on Independent Living’s Policy Director Testifies Against Massachusetts Bill

Joint Committee on Public Health Public Hearing: End of Life Options – Submitted by Lindsay Baran October 1, 2021 I would like to thank you for the opportunity to testify today. My name is Lindsay Baran, and I work as the Policy Director for the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), a national cross-disability, grassroots organization … Continue reading Nat’l Council on Independent Living’s Policy Director Testifies Against Massachusetts Bill

John Kelly’s testimony covers medical mistakes, class and race/ethnic divide and more

Massachusetts Public Health Committee hearing on the state’s assisted suicide bill: John B. Kelly Oral Testimony against EOLA H.2381/S.1384 October 1, 2021 Thank you. Everyone knows that doctors make mistakes, and studies show that 12 to 15 percent of people outlive the six-month hospice benefit for supposedly terminal people. But this year Oregon revealed that … Continue reading John Kelly’s testimony covers medical mistakes, class and race/ethnic divide and more

John Kelly Letter Published In Boston Globe

Push for assisted suicide raises questions over disability rights September 7, 2021 In response to an essay on the Victorian fantasy of a peaceful death, two letter writers (“Beyond the fantasy of a gentle death,” Aug. 29) called on the state Legislature to pass the proposed assisted suicide bill. Paula Bacon and Molly DeHaas Walsh describe … Continue reading John Kelly Letter Published In Boston Globe

John Kelly Testifies At Massachusetts Health Equity Task Force Public Hearing

On Wednesday, September 16, a public hearing was held by the Health Equity Task Force of the Massachusetts Public Health Committee. The legislative website stated that “[t]he virtual hearing is to receive testimony from the public on findings and recommendations that address health disparities for underserved or underrepresented populations during the COVID-19 pandemic, pursuant to … Continue reading John Kelly Testifies At Massachusetts Health Equity Task Force Public Hearing