Dear John,

The United States Health & Human Services Department - Office of Civil Rights is considering changes to the regulations governing enforcement of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act – which forbids organizations and employers from excluding or denying individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to receive program benefits and services. This regulatory action would strengthen and improve current protections in healthcare for people with disabilities, for which we applaud the Department and the Biden Administration. People with disabilities have equal human dignity and deserve equal healthcare.

The problem is that across the country in the states where assisted suicide is legal, people with life-threatening disabilities and/or serious illness are not receiving equal suicide prevention services, and instead steered toward assisted suicide.

This regulatory action can protect people with disabilities and/or serious illness – and strengthening it, will expand that needed protection.

There are several examples of people being denied medical treatment, or not offered psychological or psychiatric treatment.

We cannot allow the very privileged healthcare view that non-disabled people are the only lives with the quality of life worth living to take hold in a truly inclusive, and equitable society. We need HHS to strengthen suicide & assisted suicide prevention protections!

The federal government has a duty to protect and oversee state laws that may put people living with disabilities at risk and violate Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Nearly all suicide prevention care and services are at least in part funded by federal dollars, therefore we believe it is the Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Civil Rights' responsibility to ensure equal suicide prevention, especially where states have legal assisted suicide laws.

Your action now can make a big difference in making sure we protect the most vulnerable.

Take just five minutes to submit public comments on this regulation. Simply click the button below, then in the top left corner, click the "COMMENT" button. Submit comments affirming this rule and encourage lawmakers to strengthen suicide & assisted suicide prevention protections.
SUBMIT COMMENTS HERE ([link removed])
Your action today will save lives.

Gratefully,
Matt Vallière
Patients' Rights Action Fund
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