Doctors, Disability Activists Split on Support for Controversial Procedure

byAndrew Adams

 

 

CHICAGO — Lawmakers are considering legalizing a controversial medical practice that proponents say could ease suffering for the terminally ill.

[Formerly known as physician-assisted suicide and/or euthanasia]

It’s sometimes called “assisted suicide,” although physicians and advocates for the practice prefer the term “medical aid in dying,” or MAID.

While Compassion & Choices — a group that advocates for medical aid in dying policies — found a majority of Illinois voters supported legalizing MAID in a 2023 poll, some critics call the process “barbaric.”

Illinois Doctor Opposes Assisted Suicide & Euthanasia Legalization

By Dr. Kevin Garner*

I am writing as a medical doctor with board certifications in internal medicine, hospice and palliative medicine, and addiction medicine. I work as a hospital physician, a hospice consultant, and provide primary care to an underserved population suffering from mental illness and addiction. Due to the Illinois Senate’s recent efforts to legalize “medical aid in dying” (aka, physician assisted suicide or euthanasia), I feel compelled to voice the opinion of many in the medical community regarding our opposition to empowering medical professionals to prescribe death.

The bill [SB 3499] is based on several flawed assumptions. Firstly, it overestimates the accuracy of a physician’s ability to predict a patient’s death within six months. Over the years, I have witnessed numerous patients who, despite meeting the six-month prognosis criteria for hospice care, have survived well beyond this period. Published studies confirm the high variability of physician prognostication.

Access Living’s Amber Smock Quoted Extensively In Chicago Tribune

By Diane Coleman [pictured here]

Three days ago, Amber Smock, Vice President of Advocacy at Access Living, was quoted extensively in a Chicago Tribune article about Illinois’ assisted suicide bill. Today, the editorial board of the Tribune took a position opposed to the bill.

The March 5th article, “Should Illinois become a ‘right-to-die’ state? Lawmakers consider end-of-life option for terminally ill adults,” covered both sides. Here is the segment giving Access Living’s perspective as a disability rights organization:

Yet some disability rights advocates warn that the measure could put vulnerable populations at risk, including seniors, disabled folks and people with mental health issues.

Disability Groups Fight Back

Alderman Judy Fiske

On February 12, 2020, disability advocates from Access Living, Progress Center, Chicago ADAPT and Not Dead Yet attended a meeting
of the City Council of the City of Evanston, Illinois. The meeting was intended to provide public comment on a proposed resolution to support state legislation on assisted suicide.

Just after the start of the meeting, a spokesperson for the group proposing the resolution, announced that they were pulling
it in favor of more public discussion.

Evaston's Human Services Committee voted on February 3, 2020 to send the resolution to the full City Council.

Disability Advocates Oppose Evanston City Council Resolution

By Diane Coleman, Not Dead Yet

To view the original article, click here.

They say that “all politics are local.” While bills to legalize assisted suicide are a state issue, proponents of these dangerous bills are engaging in local politics as well.

An example is the Evanston City Council in Illinois. This is the home district of the lead sponsor in the state legislature. Last Thursday, the local newspaper announced that a proposed City Council resolution favoring the bill would be heard before the Council’s Human Services Committee on Monday, February 3rd. (h/t to Stephen Mendelsohn of Second Thoughts Connecticut for alerting us.)