…e Catholic group’s linking of support for pregnancy care centers with opposition to assisted suicide. According to Second Thoughts CT’s press release: Stephen Mendelsohn, a member of Second Thoughts Connecticut, said, “By mixing opposition to assisted suicide with support for pregnancy care centers, the Connecticut Catholic Conference undercuts our message.” He further asserted, “It sabotages our ability to reach progressive legislators with our p…
Feb. 21, 2014 Dear Disabilities Community: Thank you for your open letter to the Respecting Choices® program posted on Dec. 20, 2013, and for the follow-up phone conversation with Diane Coleman and Cathy Ludlum on Feb. 5, 2014. I am pleased we had the opportunity to discuss your concerns about the Respecting Choices fact sheets regarding feeding tubes and mechanical breathing support. As we discussed, Respecting Choices is in complete agreement w…
…I am the New England Regional Director for Not Dead Yet, the national disability rights group that has long opposed euthanasia and assisted suicide. I am also the director of Second Thoughts Massachusetts: Disability Rights Advocates against Assisted Suicide. Please reject SB426 because it is riddled with falsehoods. From the words of the commission’s title to its enumerated duties, it’s clear that legalization proponents drafted the bill. It is a…
This comment is submitted by Not Dead Yet, a national disability rights organization, in response to a request for comment on a proposal/white paper (proposal) by the Ethics Committee (the Committee) of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) on the topic of “Living Organ Donation by Persons with Certain Fatal Diseases Who Meet the Criteria to Be Living Organ Donors”. The organ transplant program saves lives, including some of ou…
December 20, 2013 Bernard Hammes, Ph.D. Director of Medical Humanities and Respecting Choices Gundersen Health System 1900 South Avenue La Crosse, WI 54601 Dear Dr. Hammes: The purpose of this letter is to express the deep concerns of the undersigned individuals and organizations pertaining to the Gundersen Health Care System Respecting Choices advance care planning documents entitled “Tube Feeding: What You Should Know” and “Help With Breathing:…
