Disability Advocates React to Death of Colorado Assisted Suicide Bill
Contact: Carrie Ann Lucas, 970.518.7036
Wednesday (Feb 24), House leadership permanently shelved HB 1054 – a bill to legalized doctor-prescribed suicide in Colorado. This is the second consecutive year such legislation has died in a Democratic-controlled House.
Colorado Not Dead Yet spokesperson Carrie Ann Lucas reacted to the bill’s defeat: “Once again, Colorado lawmakers listened to the disability community and our concerns about the bill and the risk is poses for disabled people who don’t want to die. The Colorado disability community is grateful to lawmakers who are willing to resist the pro-assisted suicide lobby and protect us from the pressure and coercion to die that goes with this legislation.”
Robin Stephens, a Not Dead Yet board member said, “Colorado’s suicide rate is among the highest in the nation. This bill promoted suicide to one class of disabled citizens, rather than provide suicide prevention. That is discrimination.”
Lucas pointed out, “Everyone has the right to refuse or stop further medical treatment. People also have the right to receive palliative sedation to alleviate pain. Assisted suicide is simply not necessary.”