Category Archives: Second Thoughts

Press Statement: Disability Rights Groups Not Dead Yet and Second Thoughts Issue Statement Defending Dr. Ira Byock in Assisted Suicide Debate

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[Editor’s Note: The PRWeb version of this Press Statement is available online in pdf format here.] Not Dead Yet and Second Thoughts, disability rights groups that oppose legalization of assisted suicide, issue the following Statement in support of Dr. Ira Byock’s role in the public policy debate spurred by the Brittany Maynard case: “Dr. Ira … Continue reading Press Statement: Disability Rights Groups Not Dead Yet and Second Thoughts Issue Statement Defending Dr. Ira Byock in Assisted Suicide Debate →

NDY quoted in Pew Trusts’ Stateline: New End-of-Life Measure Quietly Sweeps the Nation

california, Connecticut, Delaware, Do-Not-Resuscitate, futility, Huffington Post, life-sustaining treatment, new jersey, Our News & Commentary Blog, Pew Charitable Trusts Stateline, POLST, protection and advocacy, Second Thoughts

This week, the Pew Charitable Trusts’ Stateline carried an article entitled “New End-of-Life Measure Quietly Sweeps the Nation.”  The measure described is Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST), sometimes also called Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST).  According to the National POLST Paradigm website, POLST originated in 1991, and 14 states had adopted it by … Continue reading NDY quoted in Pew Trusts’ Stateline: New End-of-Life Measure Quietly Sweeps the Nation →

Press Release: Not Dead Yet Urges Secretary Sebelius and Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network to Prohibit Organ Procurers from Pressuring Sick or Injured to Give Up on Living

brain injury, donation after cardiac death, HHS, Institute of Medicine, life-sustaining treatment, OPTN, organ donation, Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, Our News & Commentary Blog, Press Releases, Second Thoughts, United Network on Organ Sharing

Summary:  Not Dead Yet, a national disability rights organization, is calling upon Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network to adopt national standards prohibiting organ procurement staff from initiating organ donation discussions with individuals or family members before they have made a decision to withdraw life-sustaining treatment. The … Continue reading Press Release: Not Dead Yet Urges Secretary Sebelius and Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network to Prohibit Organ Procurers from Pressuring Sick or Injured to Give Up on Living →

Bad News: Vermont Legislature Passes Assisted Suicide Bill

assisted suicide, john kelly, legislation, Our News & Commentary Blog, Second Thoughts, vermont

There was a moment this afternoon when it seemed that legalized assisted suicide might once again be prevented in the Vermont state legislature, but unfortunately this time the legislative chess match went to the proponents.  The state Senate voted 17-13 to endorse a bill very similar to that of Oregon, but with a three-year “sunset” … Continue reading Bad News: Vermont Legislature Passes Assisted Suicide Bill →

From Stephen Mendelsohn: More Media, Etc. From Connecticut Hearings on Assisted Suicide

assisted suicide, Connecticut, disability activists, disability rights advocates, legislation, media coverage, Our News & Commentary Blog, Second Thoughts

Stephen Mendelsohn, a disability activist and advocate with Second Thoughts Connecticut, sent this long list of media and some commentary.  I’m very grateful for this and this really deserves a post of its own.  Everything below was compiled and written by Stephen Mendelsohn – we’re all thankful to him for all his work and his … Continue reading From Stephen Mendelsohn: More Media, Etc. From Connecticut Hearings on Assisted Suicide →