June 23-29, 2023
Light blue background with blue stethoscope laying on the blue background.

State Laws Legalizing Assisted Suicide
Violate the Americans with Disabilities Act

Our Executive Director, Matt Vallière, writes about the failed attempts at legalizing assisted suicide across many states during this legislative session and describes the lawsuit filed in California to remove the assisted suicide laws there. "Have we devalued some people so much that we are ready to waive protections in law and medical practice for vulnerable young people with eating disorders or mental health disabilities? Instead of helping them to live, society is all too ready to help them die by suicide, with state governments seemingly eager to pay for it." Keep Reading (5 min) 
Black and white photo of Michal Kaliszan, a white man wearing glasses, a polo, and pants, sitting in a motorized wheelchair.

When Death Is the Best Choice, Is It a Choice at All? 

Michal Kaliszan, a person with a disability, says this: "'The question should be: Why is a disabled person considering [assisted suicide] simply on the basis that they can’t get the support services they need?' The answer from the Canadian government at this point seems clear: It’s easier to expand MAID than to give disabled people the support they need to live long and fulfilling lives." Keep Reading. (7 min) 

People with Intellectual Disabilities Euthanized in the Netherlands  

In a Kingston University study, researchers found that out of a sample size of 900 people who were euthanized over a 10-year period, 39 of these people had autism or an intellectual disability. Since this is only a sample size, the data may be much more steep. Intellectual disability should not be a reason to die, but a reason to receive the care and support that every human deserves. Keep Reading (3 min).
"End Assisted Suicide" is the group of plaintiffs suing the state of California to overturn the Assisted Suicide law there. Our 501(c)(3) sister organization, the Institute for Patients' Rights, has joined this ground-breaking lawsuit as a plaintiff. Below is one of our Frequently Asked Questions about this case. Learn more at EndAssistedSuicide.org
Graphic with background image of a black person's hands reading Braille. There are two orange boxes on the graphic. The first box says "Question: Is it your intent to get rid of physician-assisted suicide (PAS) and the California law?" The second box says, "Answer: We filed the lawsuit because the laws, as written, are unconstitutional, discriminatory, and violate the ADA. The remedies are up to the Court and the Legislature, not us."
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