Matt Vallière in the Los Angeles Times Thanks to the LA Times for sharing Matt’s letter, which strongly opposes assisted suicide laws. Read his letter to the editor below: Steve Lopez asks, “Will the option [of assisted suicide] be there for others?” To plaintiffs in the referenced lawsuit and many in the disability, older adult

Celebrating 33 Years of the ADA Today marks the 33rd anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). On this day, July 26th, 1990, the ADA was signed and enshrined civil rights protections into law for people with disabilities. Today and every ADA anniversary, the Patients’ Rights Action Fund (PRAF) celebrates the

Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo Praised for Veto of Assisted Suicide Bill The Patients’ Rights Action Fund and its numerous allies in the disability, medical, and religious communities commend Governor Joe Lombardo for his veto of SB 239, legislation that would have for the first time legalized assisted suicide in Nevada.   “The bill contained deadly harm

Appeal in Shavelson Lawsuit Voluntarily Dismissed In 2022, proponents of assisted suicide attempted to move into allowing euthanasia by filing a lawsuit in federal court, Shavelson, M.D. et al v. California Department of Health Care Services, claiming that the provision in California law which requires that lethal drugs be self-administered is unconstitutional. Proponents lost at

April State Status Update We celebrate victories in Connecticut, Maryland, and New Mexico! CONNECTICUT: Assisted suicide was defeated once again in Connecticut. Connecticut Legislature rejected the latest effort to legalize assisted suicide and bill SB1076 did not go forward.  Once again, the state of Connecticut has made the right decision to protect patients. MARYLAND: The

Maryland and Washington Psychiatric Societies Oppose Assisted Suicide We are grateful for the bold statement from the Maryland and Washington Psychiatric Societies commenting on the issues and dangers of assisted suicide, particularly as it pertains to people with psychiatric disabilities.    “Many serious medical conditions are known to cause a variety of capacity-impairing mental disorders,

Comments on the Proposed DEA Regulation The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has proposed a regulation which will require an in-person visit between doctor and patient prior to the prescribing of certain drugs. While telehealth provides access for many patients with chronic disease or disability – there is the opportunity for abuse. We believe a nuanced

Once the Door is Opened to Euthanasia, the Slope will Slip Recently, Dr. Mark S. Komrad provided comments on the sickening story of a Belgian criminal euthanized at the end of February, 2023. His words provide exceptional insight into the ever slippery slope of assisted suicide. Read his insight below:   This story I find