It's time for the critical 7th Touch
(time to measure our progress)
“We have been working diligently since May
and now it’s time to find out what effect we have had on the positions
of our state legislators,” says AZELO Chair Dwight Moore.
“Our Seventh
Touch is crucial. We need you to phone the staffer of each of the
legislators with whom you have been in contact throughout our Seven
Touches campaign,” he says. “The purpose of personal phone calls is
simple and straightforward – we want you to ask to speak directly with
each Senator and Representative about medical aid in dying.”
For most
volunteers who have been active in the Seven Touches program, this will
be your second or third phone call.
“If the
legislator is unavailable, be sure to ask the staffer whether the
legislator supports or does not support MAID,” Dwight urges. “And don’t
forget to record their answers in our Roll Callprogram so that we can do an initial tally before the general election.
“Finally, I want
to express my sincere thanks for your participation in the Seven Touches
campaign,” he added. “We are already working on our next generation of
education and influence in support of MAID (7+) and will continue to
keep you in the loop.
Your vote on November 3 may be the most consequential of your lifetime. Use it wisely.
Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico Death with Dignity creates 'Southwest Strategy'
“When
we commit to passing death with dignity laws, we’re in for the long
haul, says Valerie Lovelace, State Leadership Incubator Manager.
“Working side by side with strong local organizations, providing grants,
technical assistance, and on-the-ground advocacy, our work spans
decades: that’s the long-term movement building required to make lasting
legislative change.”
“We think we’ve become pretty good at
knowing when states are ready to pass medical aid in dying laws,” she
states. “That’s why we’re excited to announce our Southwest Strategy: a
coordinated effort to secure passage of medical aid in dying legislation
in Arizona,Nevada, and New Mexico.
"As we prepare for the 2021
legislative session, we’re working with legislators and lobbyists to
advance bills in all three states. In addition,we are supporting advocates on the ground by
providing grant funding, mentorship and skill-sharing between local
leaders, online education and networking, and time-tested model
legislation."
Last year, Death with
Dignity formalized partnerships with grassroots
organizations Arizona End-of-Life Options and New Mexico End-of-Life Options Coalition. Representatives of both groups participated in the DwD State Leadership Incubator program and received grants from Death with Dignity to help bolster constituent outreach and advocacy efforts.
Free Webinar Series Continues for Autumn
Ron
Fischler, MD
Tom Fitch, MD
Dwight Moore, PhD
AZELO's
highly regarded webinar series has been compared to having a private
consultation with one of the country's preeminent experts on medical aid
in dying ("Death with Dignity). The current series of webinars
brings a laser focus and straight talk about “The Six Choices We All
Have at the End of Out Lives.” The webinars are free, convenient, and
guaranteed to answer any questions you have regarding medical aid in
dying (MAID). Each interactive session is hosted by one of
our three nationally known subject matter experts, Dr. Ron
Fischler, Dr. Tom Fitch, and Dr. Dwight Moore. Don’t miss your
opportunity to take part in one of the upcoming sessions. Scheduled
dates, times and registration information on our website.
ELSEWHERE: London
-- In the largest-ever survey of doctors in the UK, a clear
majority of respondents have said they want the British Medical
Association (BMA) to drop their opposition to assisted dying. Only a
third of BMA members think it should remain opposed. Meanwhile,
fully half of doctors said they are personally supportive of a change in
the law compared to just 39% who are opposed.
“The impact of
these results cannot be underestimated,” says Sarah Wootton, Chief
Executive of Dignity in Dying. “I cannot overstate how important this
moment is for the fight for end-of-life choice.”
Fifty percent of British doctors
personally support assisted dying. And 61% of doctors agree that the BMA
should drop their opposition. “These results are a landmark in the
debate - doctors see that it’s the right time for change," Wootton adds. Wellington -- New
Zealanders go to the polls Oct. 17 to decide the fate of a national
referendum on whether medical aid in dying should be legalized.
The bill stipulates that the patient must be the first to suggest
assisted dying, and two doctors must agree that the patient is
well-informed and other legal criteria are met. The bill to
legalize MAID was originally introduced in September 2015 following
a landmark right-to-die case from Lecretia Seales, a
42-year-old Wellington lawyer, who subsequently died of natural
causes. Paris – Last month, Alain Cocq, 57, temporarily
abandoned his plan to hasten his death by voluntarily stopping eating
and drinking (VSED). He has said, however, "Beginning Oct. 12, I will
stop all hydration, diet and treatment, except painkillers. This time I
will put in writing that my will is free and enlightened. I say,
therefore, clearly and solemnly: if I ask for help at such and such a
time from the medical world, that does not mean in any way that I want
to live.” Health Law Professor Thaddeus Mason Pope has advised Cocq to
execute an Advance Directive that will direct caregivers what to do if
he again loses mental capacity. Cocq’s right-to-die case has been
closely watched in France where medical aid in dying is illegal, but
doctors are permitted to put terminally ill patients into a deep
sedation when death is imminent.
“Blackbird” is the most
recent medical-aid-in-dying film of 2020. Lily (Susan Sarandon) has
invited her family to spend one final weekend with her at the family’s
beachside home before she dies. She has been devastated by ALS and, with
the permission and understanding of the family, has arranged to end her
suffering with the help of MAID. This weekend is their time to say
goodbye, and Lily wants one more Christmas dinner before she
goes. Available on Prime video and Vudu. Watch the theatrical trailer here.