We ask you, humbly: don't scroll away.
Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you.Help Now >
Disability rights group addresses proposed New York suicide law
FREE Catholic Classes
Disability rights activists are speaking out in opposition to a proposal in New York that would legalize physician assisted suicide.
Highlights
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
4/24/2018 (6 years ago)
Published in Politics & Policy
Keywords: Pro-life, Catholic News, Assisted sucide, Human dignity, New York, Disabilities
New York City, N.Y. (CNA/EWTN News) - The Medical Aid in Dying Act, or bill A.2383-A, would amend the current public health law to legalize assisted suicide for mentally competent, terminally ill patients in the state of New York. The bill was heard in the New York Assembly Health Committee on Monday, where a number of opposing groups testified against it.
"The mere suggestion that disability acquired as the result of illness is cause enough to end one's life is a devaluation of disabled peoples' lives, and it's offensive," said Kathryn Carroll, an attorney and policy analyst with the Center for Disability Rights, who was invited to testify at Monday's hearing.
"Our focus should be on expanding access to services and supports that allow people to live with dignity, rather than assisting their suicide," Carroll continued.
She warned of the danger posed by economic incentives for insurance companies and caregivers to push assisted suicide on the terminally ill as the cheaper option, instead of longer term end-of-life care.
‽As long as these external influences exist, the promise of a choice to end one's life is a lie," Carroll said.
Carroll was joined by other disability advocates, including Mel Tanzman, the executive director of Westchester Disabled on the Move and the chair of the health committee at the New York Association on Independent Living.
Tanzman gave his testimony on Monday on behalf of over 40 organizations who serve individuals with disabilities in the state of New York.
‽Fears of becoming disabled and facing functional loss, whether the cause is injury or illness, are often reported by doctors as reasons patients request assisted suicide in states where it is legal," Tanzman said.
‽The disability community strongly opposes the belief that requiring the assistance of another individual for activities of daily living, such as dressing, bathing and toileting, is undignified or a legitimate reason for New York State to legalize physician assisted suicide," he continued.
Tanzman additionally pointed to the possibility of ‽coercion and abuse" in such legislation, noting reports that similar assisted suicide measures in other states have experienced ‽ineffectual safeguards" against abuses for the terminally ill or disabled.
The bill's New York City hearing is scheduled to take place on May 3, where Not Dead Yet, a disability rights activist group, will be testifying.
The Medical Aid in Dying Act is not the first attempt to legalize physician assisted suicide within New York. Last fall, an appeals court in the state ruled against a lawsuit which stated that citizens have a right to choose doctor-assisted suicide.
The lawsuit claimed that the state's law against helping another individual commit suicide does not apply to doctor-assisted death, arguing that the ban on physician assisted suicide is unconstitutional because it denies patients the right to self-determination.
However, seven judges of the New York Court of Appeals unanimously shut down the case, saying the current law against assisting with suicide did not make exceptions for doctors. The judges also said the measure would induce undue pressure on terminal patients to end their lives.
Physician assisted suicide is now legal in a handful of states, including California, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont and Washington.
---
'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'
Copyright 2021 - Distributed by Catholic Online
Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.
-
Mysteries of the Rosary
-
St. Faustina Kowalska
-
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
-
Saint of the Day for Wednesday, Oct 4th, 2023
-
Popular Saints
-
St. Francis of Assisi
-
Bible
-
Female / Women Saints
-
7 Morning Prayers you need to get your day started with God
-
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
It's No Joke! Pope Francis to Host Comedians at the Vatican
-
Father's Day gifts based on Scriptures
-
Protecting Children's Health: Medical Experts Speak Out
-
The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: A Deep Dive into its Meaning and Devotion
-
The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus: Divine Refuge of Love and Happiness
Daily Catholic
- Daily Readings for Tuesday, June 11, 2024
- St. Barnabas: Saint of the Day for Tuesday, June 11, 2024
- Prayer to St. Gabriel, for Others: Prayer of the Day for Friday, May 10, 2024
- Daily Readings for Monday, June 10, 2024
- St. Getulius: Saint of the Day for Monday, June 10, 2024
- Prayer for Travelers: Prayer of the Day for Thursday, May 09, 2024
Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.
Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.