Boyle's suicide bill finally set for hearing
By None, The Daily Telegraph, Jan. 21, 2008
State Reps. Frank Boyle, D-Summit, and Fred Risser, D-Madison, first introduced the bill in 1994, the same year Oregon became the first state in the nation to legalize doctor-assisted suicide. Boyle says it's time to follow Oregon's lead and let people choose whether they want to live or die. He says it's not the slippery slope of euthanasia as the opponents have indicated. Rather, he says it's a compassionate alternative to what could be a very painful death as is seen in a number of serious cases.
But opposition to the measure is organized and strong. Wisconsin Right to Life Legislative Director Susan Armacost argues that people suffering from serious illnesses often change their minds. She says when people don't feel well, they may want to die and when feeling better, they may want to live. A patient suffering depression may request death not knowing that their quality of life can be improved with proper treatment, Amacost added. She says if this legislation is endorsed, it's going to teach individuals who are weak and frail that they actually have a duty to die.
Both will testify at the hearing before the Senate Committee this Wednesday.
Share on StumbleUpon
Defend dignity. Take action.
You are the key to ensuring well-crafted Death with Dignity laws for all Americans. With your financial and volunteer help, the Death with Dignity National Center, a 501(c)(3), non-partisan, non-profit organization, has been the leading advocate in the death with dignity movement. Member contributions helped us pass a new Death with Dignity law in Washington, defend the Oregon law, and provide education and outreach programs for the vitality of the death with dignity movement.
Make a Donation
Your donation helps us continue to advocate for the right of the terminally ill to die with dignity.
Stay Connected
Sign up for the latest news and information about Death with Dignity.
Additional ways to stay in touch: |  |  |  |
About Death with Dignity
The greatest human freedom is to live, and die, according to one's own desires and beliefs. From advance directives to physician-assisted dying, death with dignity is a movement to provide options for the dying to control their own end-of-life care.
Death with Dignity National Center is the leader in this movement, successfully establishing, advancing and defending the landmark Oregon and Washington Death with Dignity Acts.
Political Action Fund
The Death with Dignity National Center partners with the Oregon Death with Dignity Political Action Fund to conduct lobbying and political activities in order to achieve the enactment of Death with Dignity laws in other states.
Learn more about the Oregon Death with Dignity Political Action Fund.
Patients & Families
The Death with Dignity National Center was formed out of a profound commitment to the idea that personal end-of-life decisions should be made solely between a patient and a physician. We are pleased to provide you with support and information as you face the difficult challenges ahead.
Research Center
We have compiled a comprehensive collection of legal briefs, journal articles, and newspaper clippings. We invite you to explore the wide array of information we have collected throughout our history.
© 2012 Death with Dignity National Center. Powered by Mandate Media.
We respect your privacy. Please see our Privacy Policy and Statement of Ethics for more information.
