The Patients Rights Action Fund (PRAF) just sent out a very helpful summary of the failures of assisted suicide bills in 2016 so far. Quoting from the PRAF press release:
Overview of where assisted suicide bill have been rejected so far in 2016:
Maryland – This week assisted suicide proponents withdrew legislation noting to the Associated Press, “it became clear the measure did not have enough votes…” The bill author further mentioned that it is unlikely a new bill will be reintroduced next year due to the strong opposition. The Maryland Senate includes 35 Democrats and only 12 Republicans, and the House of Delegates holds 98 Democrats and 43 Republicans.
New Jersey – Following an aggressive two-year campaign effort by assisted suicide supporters, S382 was shelved. Democratic Senator Peter Barnes noted publicly, “There was never a groundswell of support for this bill.”
Iowa – After a brief February debate and opposition testimony from cancer survivors and others, this bill failed to move through a Senate sub-committee.
Colorado – A bill that would have legalized assisted suicide in Colorado failed in a Senate committee last month. A few weeks later, the Colorado Assembly failed to take up the bill because there were not enough votes to pass it. In addition, the Colorado Title Board voted not to advance a ballot measure to legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia. This bill and proposed ballot measure were strongly opposed by a coalition that included doctors, patients and disability rights advocates.
Utah – Following testimony, a bill to legalize assisted suicide was unanimously sent back to the Rules Committee, killing the bill for the remainder of the year.
Arizona – Similar to previous attempts to pass assisted suicide legislation, a new bill once again failed to get the support needed to pass the Senate’s Health and Human Services Committee.
We also know that there was an informational hearing on assisted suicide held today in Iowa, and that some disability advocates testified in opposition to bills that would legalize such a public policy.
To read the entire PRAF release, go here.
News media also reported that a Nebraska assisted suicide bill was tied in committee, though it could still possibly move this year. Ironically (from our viewpoint), the Star Herald article was entitled Nebraska senator says aid-in-dying bill not dead yet.
Kathy Hoell submitted testimony on behalf of Not Dead Yet in Nebraska, based on her compelling personal story:
I had a Brain Injury a number of years ago, I was paralyzed from the neck down and was dependent on a ventilator for an extended period of time. At that time my family was not given much hope that I would survive. I realize there have been advances in medical care since then. But not to the extent many think. Over the past couple of years, I developed some pulmonary and cardiac issues that the doctors were sure would have been the end of me. Well they were wrong again. I am now back at work and leading my life as I did before. I had what the medical professionals considered a terminal condition both times that would have made me eligible for the assisted suicide bill that is under consideration. . . . . At any time during my journey what could have happened if I had become depressed? LB 1056 would establish a government sponsored program of assisted suicide facilitated by doctors.
To read Kathy Hoell’s entire testimony, go here.
Despite proponents’ claims of the inevitability of a public policy of assisted suicide, a strong alliance of disability advocates and other opponents of these bills have proven them wrong over 150 times in past years and continue to do so in 2016.