Category Archives: access to health care

Jensen Caraballo: The Misguided Compassion of Assisted Suicide in Disability

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Introduction Assisted suicide is often presented as a compassionate choice for those experiencing unbearable suffering. However, as someone who has navigated life’s challenges as a disability rights advocate and someone who was once confined to a nursing home, I see a troubling oversight in this narrative. It fails to consider the systemic barriers that prevent … Continue reading Jensen Caraballo: The Misguided Compassion of Assisted Suicide in Disability →

Lisa Blumberg: A Classic Case of Lethal Denial of Medical Treatment Based On Disability

ableism, access to health care, death by starvation and dehydration, developmental disabilities, DNR, futility, life-sustaining treatment, Lisa Blumberg, medical neglect, Our News & Commentary Blog, , , , ,

Trisomy 18 is a genetic condition that usually results in physical health problems and cognitive limitations. Life expectancy is currently shorter than typical but people can live into their 20’s and 30’s and one American with trisomy 18, Megan Hayes, celebrated her fortieth birthday with fanfare. Unfortunately, it seems that this information has been slow … Continue reading Lisa Blumberg: A Classic Case of Lethal Denial of Medical Treatment Based On Disability →

A Watershed Moment: NIH Designates Disabled People as a Health Disparity Population

ableism, access to health care, better dead than disabled, health disparities, Lisa Blumberg, medical discrimination, Our News & Commentary Blog, ,

By Lisa Blumberg, JD In late 2023, the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD), designated people with disabilities as a population with health disparities for research supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This means that NIMHD now recognizes that people with disabilities as a group experience significant disparities in their rates of … Continue reading A Watershed Moment: NIH Designates Disabled People as a Health Disparity Population →

Cathy Ludlum Testifies – “Many people are hanging on by a thread.”

"death with dignity", access to health care, aid in dying, assisted suicide, Cathy Ludlum, Connecticut, end-of-life options bills, healthcare rationing, long term services and supports, medical discrimination, Our News & Commentary Blog, quality of life judgments, Second Thoughts Connecticut, Testimony, , , , ,

Cathy Ludlum PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE Testimony Opposing SB 88 An Act Concerning Aid in Dying for Terminally Ill Patients February 23, 2022 Co-chairs and members of the Public Health Committee: My name is Cathy Ludlum, and I am one of the leaders of Second Thoughts Connecticut, a group of disabled people and allies who are … Continue reading Cathy Ludlum Testifies – “Many people are hanging on by a thread.” →

Not Dead Yet Joins National Call To Repair Or Replace Recalled Breathing Devices

access to health care, adaptive technology, life-sustaining treatment, medical devices, Our News & Commentary Blog, press release, ventilator, , ,

Not Dead Yet Joins National Call To Repair Or Replace Recalled Breathing Devices [Rochester, NY, August 26, 2021] Today, Not Dead Yet joined in a letter from individuals who depend on recalled ventilators and other breathing devices manufactured by Philips Respironics, along with over two dozen disability organizations, demanding that Philips repair or replace the … Continue reading Not Dead Yet Joins National Call To Repair Or Replace Recalled Breathing Devices →