Legislative Update: HB 1283 Draws Large Crowd To Hearing
Disability rights advocates, veterans, physicians, palliative care nurses and youth representatives gathered to speak in opposition to HB 1283, End-of-Life Options, on Wed. Feb. 7th at LOB 210-211. In addition, those unable to attend the hearing in person registered their opposition online and outnumbered supporters by nearly a 2 to 1 margin (1125 oppose and 658 support).
The one point both sides agree on – NH needs to improve palliative care options and healthcare for those with chronic illnesses. But that is where the common ground ends.
While proponents tout messages of “personal autonomy” and “safeguards” built into the bill, opponents warn this bill normalizes suicide as a medical option for those already vulnerable to suicide and opens to door to expansions of the bill that promote ableism and encourage financial exploitation. Case in point: Canada’s attempt to expand MAiD (medical aid in dying) to include people with mental illness.
Last time NH considered physician-assisted suicide, in 2020, Rep. Margaret Chase said in an interim study work session that a future bill could include ALS, MS and Alzheimers as qualifying conditions. There is no doubt that if this bill is passed, it would expand and put many of NH’s most vulnerable at risk.
Please Help Oppose HB1283 In These Ways:
If you are an NH resident, call your state Senator and Representative in opposition to HB 1283. Click here to find your senator or representative.
Write a letter to the editor for your local newspaper, letting your neighborhood know what is at stake for NH. If you haven’t written a letter to the editor before, download our tip sheet. To download a list of all New Hampshire news publications, click here.
Share these calls to action and our blog posts on social media.
https://www.facebook.com/zerosuicidesNH
NH Coalition for Suicide Prevention (@zero_suicides_nh) • Instagram photos and videos
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Quotes from Letters to the Editor and Testimony on HB 1283:
" New Hampshire has seen a nearly 50% increase in suicide rates over the past decade. Rather than addressing this with compassion and enhanced prevention efforts, HB 1283 takes us in the wrong direction by normalizing suicide as an acceptable medical option. It sends a message that suicide can be a legitimate treatment choice, contradicting the very core of our efforts to prevent suicide”
– Steven Wade, Executive Director, Brain Injury Association of NH
“This bill preys upon the weak. Physician-assisted suicide poses a threat to many populations who are highly susceptible to suicide. This is especially true for our veterans who are experiencing PTSD, depression, traumatic brain injury, etc.” -- Melinda Simms, Disabled Veteran, United Spinal Association
“If this bill passes, there is great potential for abuse and coercion. Vulnerable individuals, including those with chronic illness or disabilities, will likely encounter undue pressure to choose death to alleviate the burden on their families -- or NH’s medical bottom line. Instead of embracing a path that risks the well-being of vulnerable individuals and alters the fundamental principles of medical practice, NH should focus on strengthening palliative care and hospice services to ensure that every individual receives the compassionate care they deserve in their final days” – Lisa Beaudoin, Strategies for Disability Equities, LLC
“I see a bill like this and think, wow — we are going to create an option where we are going to move to end of life very quickly,” -- Dr. Jonathan Eddinger, Catholic Medical Center, M.D.
“This bill scares our members down to their socks” – Kevin Grady, State Veterans Advisory Council, which represents 20 Veterans organizations in NH
“If this bill passes, there is great potential for abuse and coercion. Vulnerable individuals, including those with chronic illness or disabilities, will likely encounter undue pressure to choose death to alleviate the burden on their families — or New Hampshire’s medical bottom line” – Rob Spencer, M.D. Concord, NH