Category Archives: Hastings Center

Will Our “SOFA Scores” Become Self-Fulfilling Prophecies?

I first wrote on March 17th about my fear that the non-invasive ventilator I use everyday might be taken from me if I sought hospital care during this pandemic. The New York “Ventilator Allocation Guidelines”, developed in 2015 to address shortages in a pandemic, specifically state at page 42: In its consideration to protect vulnerable … Continue reading Will Our “SOFA Scores” Become Self-Fulfilling Prophecies?

Stephen Mendelsohn: CT Suicide Prevention Plan 2020 Includes Concerns About Disability & Assisted Suicide

[Editor’s Note:  This Guest Blog is from Stephen Mendelsohn, one of the leaders of Second Thoughts Connecticut.] This is likely a first from the mainstream suicide prevention community:  The Connecticut Suicide Advisory Board (CTSAB) recognizes that legalizing assisted suicide encourages people with disabilities to commit suicide.  Here’s the relevant excerpt from the State of Connecticut Suicide … Continue reading Stephen Mendelsohn: CT Suicide Prevention Plan 2020 Includes Concerns About Disability & Assisted Suicide

Loose Ends – Last Two Essays on Bill Peace’s ‘Comfort Care As Denial of Personhood’ Up at Hastings Center Bioethics Forum

This is kind of old news by now, but it should be of interest to anyone who read previous posts on this topic.  I’d also urge anyone who hasn’t read Bill Peace’s essay to do so, along with the commentary posted on the Bioethics Forum at the Hastings Center Site. Just to refresh people’s memories … Continue reading Loose Ends – Last Two Essays on Bill Peace’s ‘Comfort Care As Denial of Personhood’ Up at Hastings Center Bioethics Forum

New Bill Peace-Related Response – ‘Who would want a child like that?’

There’s an interesting new response to Bill Peace’s essay in the Hastings Center Report in which Bill described a very disturbing late-night visit by a physician while Bill was hospitalized for care and complications relating to a stage IV skin breakdown.  An excerpt has been posted as a comment on Bill’s response to invited reactions … Continue reading New Bill Peace-Related Response – ‘Who would want a child like that?’

Coleman and Drake in Hastings Center ‘Bioethics Forum’ – Bill Peace, Bioethics, and Being Pushed to Choose Death

Back in 2010, our friend, colleague and ally Bill Peace, experienced a long, expensive health crisis when he experienced a stage IV skin breakdown – with a long treatment process that was physically and emotionally grueling by his own accounts. While Bill was hospitalized – and at one of his lowest points healthwise – he … Continue reading Coleman and Drake in Hastings Center ‘Bioethics Forum’ – Bill Peace, Bioethics, and Being Pushed to Choose Death