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The Latest ITF Update:

• Special Report: In the name of health care reform
• Montana Supreme Court ruling on assisted suicide
• New Hampshire House of Representatives kills assisted suicide bill
• Dutch Health Minister says euthanasia law was a mistake
• French Parliament rejects euthanasia bill
• More... View this issue

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 Watch Rita Marker, director
of the ITF, on Fox News.
Aired: February 27, 2009

   

Recent Developments...

Oregon Releases Official Report on 2009 Assisted Suicide Deaths (3/4/10)
The Twelfth Annual Report is a compilation of information provided primarily by prescribing physicians. As discussed in the analysis of the Eleventh Annual Report, questions remain about source of data used in the report. 

Most Oregon assisted-suicide deaths are facilitated by an assisted-suicide advocacy group.
 

Washington State Releases First Annual Report on Assisted Suicide  (3/4/10) 
As with Oregon's Official Reports, there is no way to know if the information contained is accurate or complete. 

When Washington released its first annual report, one editorial favorably noted that the deaths saved money for families.    Another "celebrated" the deaths.  Certainly, it's true. Dead family members don't cost money.  But celebrating their deaths costs us all our humanity. (3/6/10)

Support group speaker promotes assisted suicide
When the pulmonary rehab therapist suggested a support group, a Washington State couple didn't expect a speaker from an assisted-suicide advocacy group who would promote assisted suicide. 

"Study: Parents Weigh Hastening End for Dying Children"
( Time Magazine - - March 2, 2010 )
In a new study, parents acknowledged asking doctors to hasten their child's death. An additional 34% of parents surveyed said in retrospect they would have considered intentionally ending their child's life. 
This is not the first time euthanasia for children has been considered.

Health Care Reform -- back on the front burner.

"NH House defeats assisted suicide bill"
On  Wednesday, January 13, 2010, the New Hampshire House defeated H.B. 304 by a vote of 242-113.  More

Every assisted-suicide bill that has been introduced in the United States this year is modeled on Oregon's "Death with Dignity Act." Proponents claim assisted suicide is working well in that state, but facts about Oregon's law indicate their claim is false.

News and Views...

"Cornering the market on physician-assisted suicide"
( Oregonian - - Portland, OR -- March 10, 2010 )
What have we learned from 12 years of physician-assisted suicide in Oregon? Compassion & Choices (formerly called the Hemlock Society) has the corner on the market for physician-assisted suicide.  It was involved with 97 percent of the reported deaths in 2009.  All citizens should be concerned regarding the controlling influence of this organization.

"Death Becomes Him"
( The Atlantic - - March 2010 )
Over the past decade, Ludwig Minelli has helped more than 1,000 people kill themselves and has turned Zurich into the undisputed world capital of assisted suicide. More

"Dial 911 for Suicide Assistance?"
( American Thinker - WA, USA - September 28, 2009 )
If a suicidal cancer patient calls 911 in Washington State, will she be provided with all "end-of-life options," including a referral to the assisted-suicide advocacy group, Compassion & Choices? More

"Talking Seniors to Death"
( American Thinker - September 6, 2009 )
Seniors will have less money to spend next year but they may not have to live on such meager funds for long. The government is going to help them plan how they want to die....Section 1233 of the current House bill (HR 3200) didn't just show up on the doorstep of health care reform, but was packaged and delivered by Compassion & Choices, the assisted-suicide advocacy group previously known as the Hemlock Society. More

"Sentenced to death on the NHS"
( The Daily Telegraph - London, UK - September 2, 2009 )
Patients with terminal illnesses are being made to die prematurely under an NHS scheme to help end their lives, leading doctors warn today. More

More News Articles

Important...

"Public health, populations and lethal ingestion" 
( Disability and Health Journal - - January , 2010 )
Public health should address institutionalized violations of data integrity and patient vulnerabilities, while rescinding policy supporting the institutionalization of lethal means. More

"Assisted suicide laws create discriminatory double standard" 
( Disability and Health Journal - January , 2010 )
Double standard for who gets suicide prevention and who gets suicide assistance. More

"No, we don't think our doctors are out to get us" 
( Disability and Health Journal - January , 2010 )
Responding to the straw man distortions of disability rights arguments against assisted suicide. More

"Killing us softly" 
( Disability and Health Journal - January, 2010 )
Impact of legalized assisted suicide on people with disabilities and the broader public. More

"Physician-Assisted Suicide in Oregon: A Medical Perspective" 
( Michigan Law Review, Vol. 106 - June 8, 2008 )
While previous articles have examined assisted suicide from legal and ethical perspectives, this article examines the Oregon law from a medical perspective. More

"Euthanasia, Assisted Suicide & Health Care Decisions: Protecting Yourself & Your Family."

    • Table of Contents
    • Part 1: Detailed and extensively documented report about
     the latest in attempts to legalize assisted suicide and
     euthanasia, along with tips for addressing these topics.
    • Part 2: Facts and practical information about advance
     directives including the difference between the Living Will
     and the Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care.

Popular Site Areas

•  Assisted Suicide Laws
•  About the International Task Force
•  Detailed Site Index
•  Frequently Asked Questions
•  Do You Need an Advance Directive?
•  Euthanasia in Holland
•  "Euthanasia, Assisted Suicide & Health Care Decisions"
•  International Task Force Update
•  Assisted Suicide in Oregon
•  Facts about "Artificial Feeding"
•  "Assisted Suicide: The Continuing Debate"
•  "Assisted Suicide & Death with Dignity: Past Present & Future"

 

   

Euthanasia: False Light
 

A look at euthanasia and assisted suicide through the eyes of five people -- three patients, a doctor, and a hospice nurse, all of whom speak from their hearts, not from a script. 15 Minutes View

 

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