Sunday, February 21, 2021
For those who are following the physician assisted suicide bill (HB 6425) that has again surfaced in the Connecticut legislature, it is scheduled for a hearing this coming Friday, Feb 26th. This is a Zoom meeting and not in person.
The latest statistics are that 7,523 deaths have occurred in Connecticut related to the global pandemic, yet in the midst of this, the proponents of this dangerous legislation, which has failed year after year, chose to capitalize on the paralysis in our state to push their deadly agenda.
Members of the committee, and other proponents of physician assisted suicide, who would see the deaths in CT go even higher as a result of this bill, know very well that by denying the right of individuals, especially the disabled, to voice their opposition in person because of the pandemic restrictions, they create an unfair advantage and are more than willing to exploit it.
If ever one needed an example of discrimination toward the disabled population, this is it.
Please let your state senator and representative know of your opposition. Write the members of the public health committee to say no also.
Health committee email addresses at: https://www.cga.ct.gov/ph/
Send testimony to: phtestimony@cga.ct.gov
Saturday, January 16, 2021
1/16/2021
If you are a resident of Connecticut and have been aware of the past attempts by the General Assembly to pass legislation legalizing physician assisted suicide (PAS) you will know that we have been able to get this dangerous bill rejected since 2013.
Now in the midst of a global pandemic, they are attempting to ramrod it through again but even quicker. It is on the public health committee’s agenda Wednesday the 20th for a vote to bring it to a public hearing.
The BIG issue is that they want to have a public hearing but not with the public physically present, but via virtual means.
They know full well that the presence of many, many people present in person, including many representing the disabled community, who are opposed to this have been the reason it has always died in committee. Now they want to take advantage of the paralysis that is present due to the pandemic and get this passed.
If you are a citizen of Connecticut, TODAY email your local representative and senator to urge stopping these virtual hearings for non-essential bills. Also email the members of the committee to say the same thing.
Public Health Committee:
https://www.cga.ct.gov/ph/2019-2021%20Committee%20Members.pdf
Don’t delay in this. Time is precious and they are anxious and aggressive to take advantage of all of us. Someone once said “never let a crisis go to waste” and they are heeding that advice.
Jack
Friday, March 27, 2020
A member of President Obama's staff once commented that one should never let a crisis go to waste.
Sen. Haskell from Connecticut has established himself as someone who is in agreement. Recently, he made the HUGE leap to state that the physician assisted suicide bill should be passed and that the debate has been resolved!!! Resolved!? Not even close.
This bill has been defeated since 2013 and because of this coronavirus crisis, the senator has decided that this crisis is the time to ignore the opposition to this dangerous legislation and just go ahead and enact the legislation.
What a breathtaking leap of logic!!
Take the time to read this news article and let your legislator and the public health committee that this breach of protocol is unacceptable and not to be tolerated.
https://www.ctpost.com/opinion/article/State-Sen-Will-Haskell-State-must-approve-15125818.php
Saturday, March 7, 2020
Good morning. This message is especially to my Connecticut friends as a call to action. Many of you know I’m involved in public policy issues with the main issue, at this time, being physician assisted suicide.
This dangerous law has been defeated in this state every year since 2013 and last year after it again died in committee, the co-chair stated he would not bring it up this year because the committee makeup is the same and it is a short session year. Well, he didn’t keep his word and coerced a vote to raise this bill again.
There will be a public hearing next Friday, the 13th of March, at the state legislative office building. I will be there again this year to give testimony against it.
If you want to know a little more about this issue, below are websites to browse a little.
I would urge you to write your local state senator and representative to urge them to oppose this. If you feel strongly enough as I do, write or call the Public Health Committee to let them know you oppose this dangerous bill.
Thanks for your time.
Jack
CT State Director, American Academy of Medical Ethics
Tuesday, March 3, 2020
Connecticut House Bill 5420 is now on the record for a repeat attempt to legalize physician assisted suicide in this state.
No date has been set for a hearing yet but write your state senator, representative and the members of the Public Health Committee to let them know you do not want this dangerous legislation to get a foothold in this state.
No date has been set for a hearing yet but write your state senator, representative and the members of the Public Health Committee to let them know you do not want this dangerous legislation to get a foothold in this state.
Sunday, February 16, 2020
Well, it looks like Connecticut is going to go down the same road again this year. Last year when the American Academy of Medical Ethics(AAME) along with some wonderful people from Family Institute of Connecticut, Second Thoughts Connecticut, and many others, defeated Physician Assisted Suicide again several years in a row, Rep. Jonathan Steinberg(D), the co-chair of the Public Health Committee, and the strongest proponent of this dangerous policy, stated in a press conference that he would not raise it this year, 2020, because the committee would remain the same and it was a short session.
However, within the last week or so, he managed to strong arm some of the members to raise the bill. Many of them had concerns because of the short session this year and the anticipated huge turnout by opponents and supporters, but they gave in anyway. No doubt Rep. Steinberg believes in his cause, however misguided, and no doubt has had much pressure from Compassion and Choices, formerly called the Hemlock Society, to bring it up again.
Just because the vote was in favor, the committee doesn’t have to have a public hearing, but don’t be fooled, it is important that the public be given the opportunity to make its case.
Do not underestimate the power of the proponents of this measure, as well as the liberal media who will give favorable reviews to the supporters of Physician Assisted Suicide(PAS). It will continue to be called Medical Aid In Dying, to soften the impact. This euphemistic term is being more widely adopted, including in Canada, where euthanasia is on the rise and gaining ground, not what it started out to be. This same slippery slope, not a cliche, will continue to take place in our country.
Don’t allow this bill to be slipped through during this short session with the increased frenzied and chaotic activity. This is very possibly what Rep. Steinberg and his fellow proponents hope will take place.
However, within the last week or so, he managed to strong arm some of the members to raise the bill. Many of them had concerns because of the short session this year and the anticipated huge turnout by opponents and supporters, but they gave in anyway. No doubt Rep. Steinberg believes in his cause, however misguided, and no doubt has had much pressure from Compassion and Choices, formerly called the Hemlock Society, to bring it up again.
Just because the vote was in favor, the committee doesn’t have to have a public hearing, but don’t be fooled, it is important that the public be given the opportunity to make its case.
Do not underestimate the power of the proponents of this measure, as well as the liberal media who will give favorable reviews to the supporters of Physician Assisted Suicide(PAS). It will continue to be called Medical Aid In Dying, to soften the impact. This euphemistic term is being more widely adopted, including in Canada, where euthanasia is on the rise and gaining ground, not what it started out to be. This same slippery slope, not a cliche, will continue to take place in our country.
Don’t allow this bill to be slipped through during this short session with the increased frenzied and chaotic activity. This is very possibly what Rep. Steinberg and his fellow proponents hope will take place.
Tuesday, April 9, 2019
4/9/2019
Well, the time has passed for the Public Health Committee to report the assisted suicide bill out of committee. The proponents just couldn't convince enough committee members to vote yes, despite multiple attempts. The legislative session isn't over but it is very unlikely that this bill would pass as an added on amendment to another bill. This will be back either in 2020 or 2021. We can't afford to rest on our laurels.
I'm grateful for the tireless work by the Second Chance Connecticut, Family Institute of Connecticut, as well as others, including the members of Christian Medical and Dental Associations. I testified on behalf of CMDA but also the American Academy of Medical Ethics.
One of the things that we often talk about, and is scoffed at, is the subject of the slippery slope, i.e., a bill being extended for other purposes.
Hawaii's PAS bill is four months old, the ink is almost not dry, and they are already discussing extending it to include demential and Alzheimers patients.
https://patientsrightsaction.org/hawaii-hospice-executive-director-already-advocating-for-expansion-of-assisted-suicide-law/?fbclid=IwAR3AlKAy7sDF897yno2nyAS5TJ8ymIzKMtbeaQseVoRqZXZQhUBm9Ta3_xU
Well, the time has passed for the Public Health Committee to report the assisted suicide bill out of committee. The proponents just couldn't convince enough committee members to vote yes, despite multiple attempts. The legislative session isn't over but it is very unlikely that this bill would pass as an added on amendment to another bill. This will be back either in 2020 or 2021. We can't afford to rest on our laurels.
I'm grateful for the tireless work by the Second Chance Connecticut, Family Institute of Connecticut, as well as others, including the members of Christian Medical and Dental Associations. I testified on behalf of CMDA but also the American Academy of Medical Ethics.
One of the things that we often talk about, and is scoffed at, is the subject of the slippery slope, i.e., a bill being extended for other purposes.
Hawaii's PAS bill is four months old, the ink is almost not dry, and they are already discussing extending it to include demential and Alzheimers patients.
https://patientsrightsaction.org/hawaii-hospice-executive-director-already-advocating-for-expansion-of-assisted-suicide-law/?fbclid=IwAR3AlKAy7sDF897yno2nyAS5TJ8ymIzKMtbeaQseVoRqZXZQhUBm9Ta3_xU
Canada is speeding ahead with their "medical aid in dying" for expanding euthanasia to children and mentally ill:
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