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.

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.

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

Canada is speeding ahead with their "medical aid in dying" for expanding euthanasia to children and mentally ill:

https://patientsrightsaction.org/slippery-slope-to-kids-and-mentally-ill-getting-euthanized-in-canada/?fbclid=IwAR09ri3Vhvq9LSBfcAaXTysa-PK66UhpYnYsFBHROgtXeaed1MDsgJXYJlA

4/1/2019

https://tinyurl.com/y2ztbhv5

This news article from today in the CT News Junkie was very encouraging and I'm so appreciative of everyone who worked tirelessly to defeat this dangerous legislation.  This seems to be no April Fools joke. 

This is no time to take a victory lap but to remain vigilant.  The final day for this to be reported out of committee is Wednesday before it is considered "dead".  Even then, the legislative session goes until June and, theoretically, it could be attached to other legislation.  One would like to think that it would not survive that attempt, but this is Connecticut. 

It was suggested that assisted suicide legislation may not come back until 2021, and this would be great, but those that support this will be back next year or the following. 

We should not become complacent.  Other things happening in the state of Connecticut have the potential to swing the legislature back toward a conservative/red look in 2021 and there is where our efforts should continue. 

There are other important issues:  abortion rights and the assault on crisis pregnancy centers, homeschooling, right of conscience/religious freedom. 

3/12/19

In Connecticut, HB 5898 is in committee for a hearing on the 18th of March.  Once again physician assisted suicide is being touted as the "compassionate" choice for suffering patients. 
Sadly the Connecticut State Medical Society has abandoned its' previous principled, and correct, opposition and adopted a neutral posture.  In states where PAS has passed, the medical societies have went neutral. 

Write the Public Health Committee and tell them that you don't want this dangerous bill moved out of committee for a vote.  Send your comments to phtestimony@cga.ct.gov   
Write or call your state senator and representative and encourage them to oppose this legislation. 
https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/cgafindleg.asp

Below is a message that went out this morning from the Patients Rights Action Fund regarding the continuing battle against physician assisted suicide.  Another evidence that God is on the throne.  We are thankful and praise God for this victory.  

Many more battles in this war are to come.  I testified this last Tuesday at the Connecticut Public Health Committee hearing and I believe that we will be successful in seeing this bill rejected, but we don't take these victories for granted and continue to work.  

St Augustine has been quoted as saying:  "Work as if everything depended on you and pray as if everything depended on God".   

The Massachusetts Joint Committee on Public Health held a poll vote today and the result is that both the House and Senate assisted suicide bills were sent to a study committee, effectively killing the bills for this legislative session! This is a huge victory – Massachusetts was one of the big targeted states for Compassion and Choices.   

            The odds were formidable:  40 bill sponsors, the media, and four full-time paid employees working for Compassion and Choices in the state.  The Massachusetts Alliance did a commendable job in defeating the bills.   Many testified at a public hearing; 25 doctors held a Doctors' Day at the State House; the doctors and members of the disability community visited committee members on a continual basis; the disability community die legislative briefings; and constituents held district meetings with committee members.  The Patients Rights Action Fund assisted the Alliance in training and strategy and put together the Doctor’s Day.  Aides said that in the end, they were counting calls asking for the bills to be defeated which contributed significantly to the defeat.    Congratulations and kudos to the Massachusetts Alliance Against Doctor-Prescribed Suicide, Second Thoughts Massachusetts and our physicians.

02 March 2018

Physician assisted suicide has again come to the Connecticut legislature as of today.  Raised HB 5417 says it is:  "To allow a physician to dispense or prescribe medication at the request of a mentally competent patient that has a terminal illness that such patient may self-administer to bring about his or her death."

This has been formally defeated three years in a row and advocates stepped back to regroup but are back to push this immoral, unethical and dangerous concept.  

There are many other avenues to pursue for end of life care that don't require making your health care professional complicit in your death rather than the time-honored tradition of being a healer and not your killer. 

https://tinyurl.com/ybhanyfa

Call or write your state senator and representative to tell them that this is a dangerous bill and concept to bring into this state.