My name is Kate Blisard. I thank you for the opportunity to speak today concerning A1504, the “Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act.”
I have been a disability advocate for 30+ years. During that time, I have fought for a better life in the community for hundreds of people who were committed to state institutions and nursing facilities. Those I have served are, in many ways, the most vulnerable members both of our disability community and of society at large. They are vulnerable not just because of IQ or severity of disability, but because they must rely on others to bathe, to dress, to eat, to travel—in short, to live. Being dependent on others does not make a person less human, but it does make them more vulnerable. This vulnerability will be exploited by A1504, despite the so-called safeguards. It will inevitably create more opportunities for abuse. This bill will not make life easier for us, just more complicated and more threatening.
I am testifying as a person with Cerebral Palsy and clinical depression. I’ve experienced life threatening diabetic comas twice in the past few years. . I have contemplated suicide throughout my life. This bill defines “terminal” as based on a six month life expectancy, just like Oregon does. But what most people don’t know is that the state of Oregon considers a person who doesn’t get treatment that would save their life, like a diabetic who doesn’t get insulin, as terminal for purposes of the assisted suicide law.
I oppose A1504 because if it becomes a state law it will endanger the lives of people with disabilities. Many of us are poor, undereducated, underemployed, and rely on the government not only for our food and housing, but also for our healthcare.
If this bill passes, the lives of many people with disabilities will end, without their consent, through mistakes and abuse.
As an advocate for abused people with disabilities, I can attest that the abuse of elders and people with disabilities is a growing epidemic in the shadows, because so many of us are afraid–or unable–to report abuse. This bill grants civil and criminal immunity to anyone who is involved in ending an individual’s life in any manner, as long as they are acting “in good faith”… but, as I am sure you know, a stated claim of “good faith” is virtually impossible to disprove.
An abusive caregiver can steer or force a person towards assisted suicide, witness the request, pick up the lethal dose, and even administer the drug — no witnesses are required at death.
For every person who sincerely and legitimately chooses assisted suicide, it is very likely that there will be many more who are victims of mistakes and abuse. Please do not ignore the very real dangers of A1504!