Nevada Update: Hearing Cancelled

Today's hearing on SB 261, seeking to legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia in Nevada, was suddenly cancelled, apparently due to a lack of support. The bill, however, is not dead and could still be heard.

To read about problems with the bill, click here.

Tell the Nevada Legislature to Say "No" to SB 261

* SB 261 seeks to legalize physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia as those terms are traditionally
defined.

* Passing the proposed bill will encourage people with years or decades to live to throw away their lives.

* The bill is sold as voluntary, but does not even have a provision requiring administration of the lethal dose to be voluntary.
 

* Assisting persons can have their own agendas: an adult child wanting an inheritance; a financial predator seeking financial gain; or a doctor wanting to hide malpractice.

Maine: Reject LD 347 & LD 1066

For legal analysis and back up documentation, click here and here. For a pdf handout version of this post, click here.

Highlights:

•  LD 347 & LD 1066 apply to people with years or decades to live.

• Enacting either bill will encourage people with years or decades to live to throw away their lives.

• The bills are sold as providing a voluntary patient choice, but don’t even have a requirement of  voluntariness or consent when the lethal dose is administered.

Alaska Bill 54: Bad Things Happen in the Dark

By Margaret K. Dore, Esq., for a pdf version, click here.

HB 54 legalizes physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia as those terms are traditionally defined. The bill is based on a similar law in Oregon, which has a near complete lack of transparency.

If Alaska enacts HB 54 and follows Oregon practice, there will be a similar lack of transparency. The safely and welfare of individual patients will be unverifiable from Alaska State sources.

Assisted suicide/euthanasia laws "surrounded by a sea of propaganda"

http://www.staradvertiser.com/2017/03/30/editorial/letters/state-needs-leaders-to-manage-airports/

Hawaii Bill is misleading, lacks protections

I was relieved to see a state House committee vote to delay consideration of Senate Bill 1129 [, which seeks to legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia in Hawaii].

I attended the hearing at which [1129] was sold as completely voluntary, which isn’t true.

Hawaii Bill SB 1129 - “Choice” is a Big Fat Fib

Vote No on SB 1129 SD 2

No Assisted Suicide

No Euthanasia

Highlights:

• The act is sold as providing a voluntary patient choice, but doesn’t even have a requirement of  voluntariness, capability or consent when the lethal dose is administered. 

• People who ask about the act will lose their right to informed consent: They will lose the right to be told about alternatives for cure.

• The claim that self-administration is required is not true. The act says that a patient “may” self-administer the lethal dose. There is no language that administration “must” be by self-administration.

Washington State Update - informed decision bill has passed the Senate, is pending in the House

SB 5433 is a simple bill clarifying that persons considering assisted suicide under Washington State's Death with Dignity Act have a right to be told of their options for cure or to extend life. 

Passing the bill is consistent with how the Act was marketed to voters, as providing choice for the individual.

The bill has now passed the Washington State Senate and has been referred to the House Committee on Health Care and Wellness. 

When Euthanasia Becomes Murder

In the Netherlands an elderly woman suffering from dementia was held down against her protests as a lethal injection was administered by a doctor. In the days before her “euthanasia” she repeatedly said “I don’t want to die.” The doctor was cleared of wrongdoing.

http://www.intellectualtakeout.org/blog/when-euthanasia-becomes-murder

By Barry Brownstein

In the Netherlands an elderly woman suffering from dementia was held down against her protests as a lethal injection was administered by a doctor. In the days before her “euthanasia” she repeatedly said “I don’t want to die.” The doctor was cleared of wrongdoing.

Another elderly woman in the Netherlands was euthanized due to her supposed “unhappiness” about living in a nursing home. This despite testimony from the staff that she was often “content and friendly.”

Assisters Can Have Their Own Agendas; Patient Choice Not Assured

By Margaret Dore, Esq.

People who assist a suicide or euthanasia can have their own agendas. In Oregon, there is the Thomas Middleton case, in which legal physician-assisted suicide was part of an elder abuse fraud.[1 & 2]

Consider also People v. Stuart where an adult child killed her parent under circumstances that “dovetail[ed]” with the child’s financial interests.[3] The Court stated:

[F]inancial considerations [are] an all too common motivation for killing someone.[4]

The Oregon Health Plan Steers Patients to Suicide: "Do You Want This to Be Your Choice?"

Kenneth Stevens, MD

http://www.staradvertiser.com/2017/03/01/editorial/letters/learn-lessons-of-oregons-law/

The Hawaii Legislature is considering legalizing assisted suicide (Senate Bill 1129 SD1). I am a doctor in Oregon, where assisted suicide is legal.

In 2000, I had a cancer patient named Jeanette Hall who was adamant that she was going to use Oregon’s law. Without treatment, she had a prognosis of six months to a year to live, rendering her “eligible.” I convinced her to be treated instead. Today, 16 years later, she is thrilled to be alive.

Hawaii Assisted Suicide/Euthanasia Act Must Be Rejected

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/choice-illusion-president-margaret-dore-170000652.html

HONOLULU, Feb. 27, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Attorney Margaret Dore, president of Choice is an Illusion, which is fighting assisted suicide and euthanasia legalization efforts throughout the United States, made the following statement in connection with an assisted suicide/euthanasia bill set for hearing tomorrow in the Hawaii State Senate Committee on Judiciary and Labor. The bill is SB 1129 S.D. 1.

“The bill seeks to pass a proposed act legalizing assisted suicide and allowing euthanasia,” said Dore. “If enacted, the act will apply to people with years or decades to live. The act is a recipe for elder abuse, especially for people with money, meaning the middle class and above in the inheritance situation.”

Montana Resolution Addresses "Mistaken Assumption That Suicide Is a Rational Response to Disability"

Representative Brad Tschida

Representative Brad Tschida has introduced Joint House Resolution No. 14 to include people with chronic health conditions in Montana's Strategic Suicide Prevention Plan for 2017.  A key paragraph notes: 

Until recently, the Montana Strategic Suicide Prevention Plan was considering assisted suicide of the terminally ill as a separate issue from suicide prevention. The active disability community in Montana, however, has been vocal on the need for suicide prevention services for individuals with disabilities. . . . . Individuals with disabilities have a right to responsive suicide prevention services. 

There is a specific recommendation to "address . . . the mistaken assumption that suicide is a rational response to disability."

Hawaii: Dore Testimony Opposing SB 1129 SD 1 (No Assisted Suicide/Euthanasia)

To Chairman Keith-Agaran and members of the Committee:

As some of you know, I am an attorney in Washington State where assisted suicide and euthanasia are legal.  Our law is based on a law in Oregon.  Both laws are similar to the proposed act in SB 1129 SD 1.

Attached please find a memo with supporting documentation opposing the act. The act seeks to legalize physician-assisted suicide and allow euthanasia. My memo and documentation can also be viewed at these links: https://choiceisanillusion.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/dore-new-memo-sb-1129.pdf and https://choiceisanillusion.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/appendix-new-memo-sb-1129.pdf

The act will encourage people with years or decades to live to throw away their lives.  (See memo, pp 3-6). The act is a recipe for elder abuse, especially for those in the middle class and above in the inheritance situation. (Id., pp. 8-9). The act creates the perfect crime in which the death is allowed to occur in private, without oversight, and the death certificate gives perpetrators a "stay out of jail free card."  (Id., pp. 10-13).  

Amended Hawaii Bill Creates the Perfect Crime

By Margaret Dore, Esq., MBA

Hawaii Senate Chamber

Hawaii's pending act seeking to legalize physician-assisted suicide and allow euthanasia as long as actions are taken in “accordance” with the act, applies to people with years or decades to live. 

The act, contained in SB 1129 SD 1, is a recipe for elder abuse, especially in the inheritance situation for persons middle class and above.

To view a supporting memo, click here and here. To go to Choice Illusion Hawaii, click here

Tell the Hawaii Legislature to Vote “No” on SB 1129

By Margaret Dore, Esq., MBA

SB 1129 legalizes physician-assisted suicide and allows euthanasia as long as actions are taken in “accordance” with the act.

The proposed Oregon style act applies to people with years or decades to live. The act is a recipe for elder abuse.

To view a legal analysis opposing the bill, with supporting documentation, click here.  To view the analysis without the supporting documentation, click here.  To view Hawaii Against Assisted Suicide, click here.

Congressional Resolution to Stop DC Act has Advanced

From a Congressional Staffer:

"This evening the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee advanced H.J. Res. 27, the resolution disapproving the District of Columbia Council’s bill legalizing assisted suicide. The bill was advanced by a vote of 22-14."

Thank you to everyone who helped make this possible. The battle to stop the DC Act continues. Thank you again.

Margaret Dore, President
Choice Is An Illusion

"Choice" is an Illusion President Margaret Dore States Congress Must Reject DC Assisted Suicide/Euthanasia Act

Margaret Dore, Esq.
"The Act has national and inter-
national security implications."

Updated

WASHINGTON, Feb. 02, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - Attorney Margaret Dore, president of Choice is an Illusion, which has fought assisted suicide and euthanasia legalization efforts throughout the United States, and now in the United States Congress, made the following statement in connection with H. J. Resolution 27 in the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

"The resolution seeks to prevent DC Act 21-577 from going into effect," said Dore. "The Act is a deceptively written law that legalizes physician-assisted suicide, assisted suicide and euthanasia as those terms are traditionally defined." Dore stated, "The Act is a recipe for elder abuse, it applies to persons who have years or decades to live and purported oversight is a sham." Dore added, "The Act has national and international security implications."

Washington State: Tell Your Legislators to Vote "Yes" on SB 5433

Jeanette Hall

SB 5433 is a simple bill clarifying that persons considering assisted suicide under Washington State's Death with Dignity Act have a right to be told of their options for cure or to extend life. Passing the bill will be consistent with how the Act was marketed to the voters, as providing choice for the individual. I urge you to tell your legislators and the governor to vote “Yes” on SB 5433.

For more information, read the memorandum to the Washington State Senate below. To see a print version, click here.

Washington DC Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dore: “The DC assisted suicide Act is stacked against the individual.”

Dore: "The Act has national and international security implications, which trump DC home rule.”

Why DC Act 21-577 Must Be Rejected

By Margaret Dore, Esq., MBA[1]

• Prevent Non-voluntary Assisted Suicide
• Prevent Non-voluntary Euthanasia
• Prevent Legal Elder Abuse
• Prevent Suicide Contagion, Including for Young People
• Prevent People With Years or Decades to Live, From Throwing Away Their Lives
• Preserve Government Transparency and Integrity
• Don’t Let the District of Columbia Become Corrupt Like Oregon
• Prevent National and International Security Implications

For a pdf version of this document, click here.

Dr. Charles Bentz, MD, Joins Choice is an Illusion Board

Our Board Members are Margaret K. Dore, Esq., MBA, Dr. Charles J. Bentz, MD and Kate Kelly, B.ED, B.A.

Dr. Bentz joins “Choice” is an Illusion as a new Board Member.  

He is a primary care physician specializing in Internal Medicine in Oregon, OR.  

Dr. Bentz has extensive work in tobacco cessation programs and policies in both health care and commercial businesses.

Welcome Dr. Bentz! 





“Choice” is an Illusion thanks and appreciates Elizabeth Poiana for her contributions and service as a 2016 Board Member.

Quick Facts: District of Columbia B21-38

By Margaret Dore, Esq., MBA

Margaret Dore Esq., MBA, Councilmember
Yvette Alexander

For more information, see Memo Opposing B21-38 and attachments. See also Suicide Contagion Memo and attachments.

1.  Overview

B21-38 legalizes physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia as those terms are traditionally defined. Legally authorized participants include health care providers and family members.

2.  Definitions

Assisted suicide means that someone provides the means and/or information for another person to commit suicide. When a physician is involved,

The Oregon Experience is B.S.

bull

To view this article in a pdf format, see "Dore Memo Opposing Prop. 106," which can be viewed here and here.

The claim by assisted suicide proponents, that Oregon's law is safe, cannot be independently verified: (1) Studies making the claim are invalid; (2) Oregon's data cannot be verified; and (3) Even law enforcement is denied access to information.

Soyer: Who has the Choice in Assisted Suicide?

http://daily-iowan.com/2016/10/25/soyer-who-has-the-choice-in-assisted-suicide

Hannah Soyer

I am a very large supporter of individual choices and the right for individuals to make choices in regard to their own lives. Though, in the context of California’s most recent legislation concerning assisted suicide, the idea of “choice” may be disputed rather than upheld.

Stephanie Packer, a woman living in California who has a terminal form of scleroderma, an autoimmune disease, recently came out saying that her insurance company denied her coverage of chemotherapy but said it would cover doctor-assisted suicide. The insurance originally was going to cover her chemo, but then the End of Life Option Act went into effect on June 9. . .

Soon after this law was passed, Packer received a letter from her insurance company saying it was no longer going to cover her treatment, although the life-ending drugs would be covered.

Brittany Maynard's Story Sends the Wrong Message to Young People

Will Johnston, MD

Dear Editor:

I agree with the Gazette editorial board that legal assisted suicide sends the wrong message to young people. ("Vote 'no' on more suicide," 09/26/16). I also write to describe the damaging impact of the highly publicized case of Brittany Maynard, on my young adult patient who became actively suicidal after watching her video. I understand that her story is now being used to promote assisted suicide legalization in Colorado.

Ms. Maynard died in November 2014. A month later, I was presented with my young adult patient during an emergency appointment. He was physically healthy. His mother told me that he had been acting oddly and talking about death.

Montana: Say "No" to the Oregon Experience

By Margaret Dore, Esq., MBA

To view pdf version with footnotes, click here.

Since the passage of Oregon’s law allowing physician-assisted suicide, other suicides in Oregon have steadily increased. This is consistent with a suicide contagion in which the legalization of physician-assisted suicides has encouraged other suicides. In Oregon, the financial and emotional impacts of suicide on family members and the broader community are devastating
and long-lasting.

Denver Post Switches Sides: Votes "NO" on Prop. 106

https://www.denverpost.com/2016/10/11/no-on-proposition-106-aid-in-dying-measure-lacks-proper-safeguards/

After a lot of soul-searching, we are asking voters to reject Proposition 106, a measure that would give patients the legal right to end their life, because we fear the cultural, legal and medical shift that it would create in Colorado.

Nancy Valko on Oregon: What hides in the dark?

"No other area of medical practice-even lethal injection-is allowed such secrecy and immunity." Nancy Valko, RN

"What hides in
 the dark?"

Edited by Margaret Dore, Esq., MBA

Note two provisions in Oregon's law:

“The Health Services shall make rules to facilitate the collection of information regarding compliance with ORS 127.800 to 127.897. Except as otherwise required by law, the information collected shall not be a public record and may not be made available for inspection by the public.” (Only an “an annual statistical report of information” is made public.) (Emphasis added.)

And 

“No person shall be subject to civil or criminal liability or professional disciplinary action for participating in good faith compliance with ORS 127.800 to 127.897. ” (Emphasis added.)

There is also no requirement that the doctor or anyone else witness or even be present at the lethal overdose.

Colorado Springs Gazette Editorial Board: "Vote 'no' on more suicide"

http://gazette.com/editorial-vote-no-on-more-suicide/article/1586396

Proposition 106 would establish the assisted suicide trade for doctors willing to participate. An out-of-state special interest, funded mostly by billionaire George Soros, has marketed this measure as a form of compassion.

Suicide rates are a crisis in Colorado, and a poorly written plan to legitimize these tragedies raises big concerns.

NEW DATE! Early Warning: Enjoy an Interesting Evening In Missoula Montana

Rep. Brad Tschida

Rolling Back the Suicide Epidemic:

Why are Physician-Assisted Suicide

and Euthanasia Bad News for Montana?

THURSDAY, Oct. 13, 2016, 7 p.m.
New date!

Click here to view flyer with the new date     

Presenters:   

Senator Jennifer Fielder

• Brad Tschida, Montana State Representative, a legislative leader in the fight to prevent suicide.
• Jennifer Fielder, Montana State Senator, a legislative leader in the fight to prevent suicide.
• Philip Tummarello, retired Sgt. Inspector of the San Francisco Police Department, who implemented and supervised the San Francisco Elder Abuse Task Force.
• Margaret Dore, a lawyer in Washington State where assisted suicide and euthanasia are legal, and president of Choice is an Illusion, a nonprofit corporation.