Category Archives: Our News & Commentary Blog

Yesterday, the House Judiciary Committee of the New Hampshire legislature held a hearing on a bill that would legalize assisted suicide in that state. Diane Coleman, founder and President of Not Dead Yet, wrote about it on the Center for Disability Rights blog yesterday: Many people know that CDR is active in advocacy on the … Continue reading New Hampshire: Testimony Against Assisted Suicide Bill at House Judiciary Committee →

Journal: Nurse’s research into the ethics of organ donation causes her to reconsider her support

February 18, 2009brain death, nursing homes, organ donation, Our News & Commentary BlogStephen Drake

Once in awhile, something comes along that really surprises me. This is one of those times. The January issue of Nursing2009 not only has an article harshly critical of organ harvesting regulations and protocols, it has made the article available online. In Speaking up for organ donors (link to html version, with additional link to … Continue reading Journal: Nurse’s research into the ethics of organ donation causes her to reconsider her support →

NJ: Woman Finds Aneurism + Medicaid = SOL*

February 17, 2009access to health care, Medicaid, Our News & Commentary BlogStephen Drake

*”SOL” is an acronym. If you don’t know what it stands for, you can look it up. From the Hudson Reporter: After being diagnosed with a medical condition that threatens her life, a Union City woman was forced to spend two critical months searching for a doctor willing to help her. Peggy Albedhady, 47, learned … Continue reading NJ: Woman Finds Aneurism + Medicaid = SOL* →

Texas: David Coronado Breathing on His Own, Off Ventilator

February 14, 2009abuse, crime and punishment, david coronado, futile care, Our News & Commentary Blog, Surrogate Decisions & Guardianship, texasStephen Drake

About 3 weeks ago, this blog reported on the case of young David Coronado, a 6-month-old infant allegedly beaten severely by at least one of his parents. Initially, a court-appointed guardian planned to petition for removal of life-support. The scheduled hearing to hear the petition was cancelled due to unspecified “new information.” (We received detailed … Continue reading Texas: David Coronado Breathing on His Own, Off Ventilator →

Reality Vs. Myths of Pet Euthanasia (Part 2)

February 13, 2009Australia, euthanasia, Nitschke, Our News & Commentary Blog, pets, reality checkStephen Drake

Last week, there was a small burst of the “we’re kinder to animals than to humans” crap in the Australian press, courtesy of Peter Baume, a former Senator and an emeritus professor of Community Health at the University of New South Wales. Baume was part of a panel discussion on euthanasia in Sydney, Australia. The … Continue reading Reality Vs. Myths of Pet Euthanasia (Part 2) →