Originally Posted - June 28, 2006

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CLEARWATER, FLA--The Partnership for Medical Ethics Reform (www.forethics.com) applauds the response of California's Judiciary Committee for allowing the proposed California physician assisted suicide bill, Assembly Bill 651, to be blocked in Committee, following the strong objections of expert witnesses on June 20 and public objections on June 27.

The bill, crafted by Senators Berg and Levine, has come under tremendous fire by those active in the disability-rights community as being a measure that would allow the state of California, through probate courts, to aggressively seek the hastening or deliberate causing of death of undying but disabled individuals.

Additionally, the bill held amendments that would propose the reimbursement of costs associated with the deadly narcotics through the state's medical entitlement mechanism, Medical. Critics have argued it was a thinly veiled attempt to dispose of the destitute.

On June 20, author, consumer advocate, human rights advocate and anti-care-rationing activist, Wesley J. Smith testified in public hearing that such a measure would openly attack the weak, poor and elderly. Smith recounted a number of legal and circuit court-level precedents that, he says, encourages removal of ordinary care from disabled and elderly persons and pushes through the 'duty to die' mentality among the country's most vulnerable of citizens. His claim is that AB 651 solidified such bigotry against the weak and elder. The nation's disability advocacy groups embraced and supported Smith's public testimony.

Standing in harmony at opposition to AB 651 were members of Not Dead Yet (a non-profit disability rights coalition that seeks to protect the lives of disabled persons), the Latino Caucus of California (who presented over 32,000 signatures in opposition of the bill), and a number of healthcare professionals from a diversity of organizations who argued that the model of the Hippocratic Oath stood in stark opposition of California's AB 651.

The Partnership for Medical Ethics Reform thanks the active participants who helped stamp out this attack against the destitute and weak in California.

Its' founder, Pamela F. Hennessy, has issued the following statement:

"Our collective mission must be to protect the well-being and humanity of persons living with disability, chronic ailment and terminal illness -- or those in pristine health. Our obligation to others doesn't rest in egocentric arguments like subsitive judgment or cost containment factors. We revere one another because we would expect no less were we changed by disability or ailment. We all want and expect our inherent value to be protected and ensured." 6-28-06

© 2006 North Country Gazette