In response to a recent New Jersey editorial in favor of legalizing assisted suicide, John Kelly sent a letter which was just published in the Star Ledger under the title “Increased palliative care a better alternative to assisted suicide.” He provided some useful data on the prevalence of medical misdiagnosis and its harm to patients. He also suggested that they feature a picture of someone famous with a terminal illness who is choosing to work.
Every year, physician misdiagnosis affects 12 million Americans, putting half at risk of severe harm. New Jersey’s assisted suicide bill could make that harm lethal. So if you receive your prescribed overdose from a doctor and their colleague who totally misdiagnosed you, no one could ever know your life was cut short by months, years, or decades.
Isn’t New Jersey too savvy to buy the fairy tale of doctor infallibility?
Many Star-Ledger opinions on assisted suicide, pro and con, come with Brittany Maynard’s picture. The Ledger could encourage reader perspective by showing TV star Valerie Harper, decreed “terminally ill” more than a year before Maynard. She recently starred in a play.
Psychosocial reasons alone explain three-quarters of Oregon assisted suicides, yet the Ledger on October 6 presents needless pain as the only alternative. But contemporary palliative practices can ensure patient comfort.
So instead of passing this dangerous bill, state Senators should develop a plan like that recommended by renowned palliative care doctor Ira Byock. Require state medical schools to increase required curriculum in palliation. And before awarding medical licenses, make doctors demonstrate skills in pain management and patient communication.
Now there’s a change that would serve the interests of all New Jerseyans.
New Jersey native John B. Kelly is a disability rights activist based in Boston. He is the director of Second Thoughts Massachusetts and New England regional director for Not Dead Yet, grassroots disability groups opposed to the legalization of assisted suicide.