For some it may be unthinkable at any time of the year, let alone during the holiday season, that there is a cadre of relentless professional assisted suicide advocacy organizations seeking more efficient ways for people with disabilities to kill themselves during this national moment when Medicare, SNAP, and “streamlined” federal departments (i.e. HUD ) […]
Seven disability advocates representing national and New Jersey state organizations planned to testify at a state Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee on Thursday, February 7, beginning at 1:00 p.m., but only two were allowed to do so. Unlike NJ Committee hearings on the issue in previous years, the hearing was stopped at 2:30, cutting […]
[Ed. Note: This guest column by Diane Coleman appeared in nj.com on October 26, 2018, and in the New Jersey Star Ledger print edition on October 29.] I have an advanced neuromuscular condition and must use breathing support with a mask 18 hours a day. As a severely disabled person who depends on life-sustaining treatment, I […]
Assisted suicide is being promoted once again in New Jersey, going through the Assembly Judiciary meeting. This bill made it through the Assembly twice in previous legislative sessions, but failed to garner enough votes in the NJ Senate. Now, with the election of a new Governor and new members in the Legislature, the supporters of this […]
[Editor’s Note: John Kelly lived in New Jersey in his younger years and traveled back there to testify on October 6, 2016 in opposition to the latest assisted suicide bill, A2451. His oral testimony is below, and his full written testimony is here.] Chair Burzichelli, Vice Chair Lagana, Members of the Committee: My name is […]
[Editor’s Note: Belated great news – after a two year battle, the New Jersey assisted suicide bill failed to pass in the state Senate.] Assisted Suicide Bill Dies in New Jersey Senate An important victory that bolsters opposition nationwide Trenton, NJ – “The New Jersey Alliance Against Doctor-Prescribed Suicide applauds the New Jersey Senate for […]
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. […]
[Editor’s Note: The New Jersey assisted suicide bill could come up for a floor vote as early as this week. This letter was emailed under the subject line, “Why thoughtful Democrats should oppose assisted suicide bill in NJ.”] Dear Senators: I am a lifelong Democrat, the CEO of a national disability organization, and I am […]
The New Jersey state Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee passed its assisted suicide bill, S382, out of committee yesterday, December 15th. Senate President and co-sponsor Steve Sweeney initially said that a full Senate vote would be held on Thursday, the last scheduled full session of the year, but later indicated that the […]
An interesting op ed appeared in the Times of Trenton late last month, comparing death penalty and assisted suicide laws. H. John Witman III is a retired attorney who practiced for nearly 20 years in the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice. He is a member of the board of directors of the Progressive Center […]
