Weeks 48-49/2016 in the Death with Dignity Movement

In the two weeks from December 5 to December 18, 2016:

• It emerged that, as expected, an assisted death bill will be introduced in the Hawaii legislature in the upcoming session.
• A poll was released showing that 80% of Hawaii residents support assisted dying legislation.
• Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper certified the November election results, including the passage of the End of Life Options Act, and the law went into effect immediately after he signed it on December 16th.

Colorado

• “Coloradans already inquiring about new medical aid in dying law; could take effect by end of month,” Denver Post, 12/8/2016
• “Medical Aid In Dying Close To Becoming A Legal Option In Colorado,” CBS Denver, 12/9/2016
• “In Colorado, a low-price drug cocktail will tamp down cost of death with dignity,” USA Today, 12/15/2016
• “Colorado medical-aid-in-dying law signed by Gov. John Hickenlooper, takes effect immediately,” Denver Post, 12/16/2016
• “Gov. Hickenlooper signed medical aid-in-dying into law today. Now what?,” Colorado Independent, 12/16/2016

Hawaii

• “Lawmakers to take up ‘death with dignity’ bill in new year,” Hawaii News Now, 12/14/2016
• “Hawaii Death with Dignity Society – End of Life Advocacy with Scott Foster,” Think Tech Hawaii, 12/14/2016
• “Support For Aid In Dying,” Honolulu Civil Beat, 12/18/2016

Vermont

• “Court Case Could Clarify Doctors’ Obligations in End-of-Life Law,” VT Digger, 12/8/2016
• “Religious groups challenge Vt. end-of-life law,” Barre-Montpellier Times Argus, 12/10/2016

Elsewhere

• Delaware: “Medical Aid in Dying,” Comcast Newsmakers, 12/16/2016
• New Jersey: “Catholic lawmakers support assisted suicide despite faith,” North Jersey, 12/14/2016
• Oregon: “Gov. Roberts speaks frankly about Oregon’s Death With Dignity law,” Portland Tribune, 12/15/2016
• Texas: “Why I Advocate for Aid in Dying,” Thinking in Community, 12/15/16

Other Stories

A faith-based pollster has found that most people of faith support “assisted suicide”:

• “Most Americans Say Assisted Suicide is Morally Acceptable,” Lifeway Research, 12/6/2016
• “Opposition to Assisted Suicide Dies Out,” Christianity Today, 12/6/2016
• “Survey: Nearly 70 percent of U.S. Hispanics agree with physician-assisted death,” Fox News, 12/13/2016

Image by Matt Hintsa.