All posts by Stephen Drake

The Atlantic: “Physician-Assisted Suicide Is Not Progressive” by Ira Byock

assisted suicide, hospice, ira byock, Our News & Commentary Blog, palliative care

Ira Byock is a friend and someone whose work is widely respected.  Unlike many people writing on assisted suicide, Ira has spent decades working intimately with patients and their families, giving aid, comfort and treatment to all affected during the final chapter in that patient’s life. Bio blurb from The Nation:  Ira Byock is director of … Continue reading The Atlantic: “Physician-Assisted Suicide Is Not Progressive” by Ira Byock →

NY Law School – Justice Action Center’s Upcoming Annual Justice Symposium Not Fair to Disability Advocates, Let Alone “Just”

"end of life", "special", alicia ouellette, Ann Neumann, assisted suicide, bioethics, Compassion & Choices, hypocrisy, New York Law School, Our News & Commentary Blog, right to die

On Friday, November 16th, the Justice Action Center, part of New York Law School, is presenting a symposium titled ” Freedom of Choice at the End of Life –Patients’ Rights in a Shifting Legal and Political Landscape.” It would be understandable if you thought that this was actually an event planned and presented by Compassion … Continue reading NY Law School – Justice Action Center’s Upcoming Annual Justice Symposium Not Fair to Disability Advocates, Let Alone “Just” →

NY Lawsuit Claims Organ Donor Network Engaged in ‘Shameful Practices,’ Pressuring Staff and Families

brain death, brain injury, litigation, New York Organ Donor Network, organ donation, organ transplants, Our News & Commentary Blog, rush to judgment

There’s a potentially explosive lawsuit that’s gotten limited coverage so far.  As near as I can tell, the first story on it was published in the New York Post on September 26 of this year.  Here’s an excerpt from the news story in the Post: The New York Organ Donor Network pressured hospital staffers to … Continue reading NY Lawsuit Claims Organ Donor Network Engaged in ‘Shameful Practices,’ Pressuring Staff and Families →

Disability Rights Activist Pam Auer to Represent NDY at My Medicaid Matters Rally in Harrisburg, PA on Wednesday, October 17

ADAPT, disability activists, disability rights, Medicaid, Our News & Commentary Blog, Pennsylvania

Disability Rights Activist Pam Auer to Represent Not Dead Yet at My Medicaid Matters Rally in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on Wednesday, October 17 On Wednesday, October 17, National ADAPT is leading a My Medicaid Matters Rally in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to oppose cuts to Medicaid. Disability rights activist Pam Auer will represent Not Dead Yet as one … Continue reading Disability Rights Activist Pam Auer to Represent NDY at My Medicaid Matters Rally in Harrisburg, PA on Wednesday, October 17 →

Three MDs weigh in on assisted suicide

assisted suicide, Ballot Question 2, boston globe, medical issues, medical killings, op-ed, Our News & Commentary Blog

Today’s Boston Globe has two letters by doctors who are opposed to legalization of assisted suicide – and are responding to a glowing endorsement of assisted suicide by Marcia Angell, MD, in an op-ed published in the paper on September 29.  The letters to the Globe are at this link, but can’t be accessed directly … Continue reading Three MDs weigh in on assisted suicide →