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Massachusetts Death With Dignity Supporters Continue to Fight - Kiley Law Group Comments on Struggle
January 15, 2013 --
Andover, Massachusetts (PRWEB) January 15, 2013
According to the New York Times, Massachusetts Death With Dignity supporters are disheartened but not defeated, following their recent failure to give terminally ill Massachusetts patients the ability to end their lives. Peg Sandeen, head of the Death With Dignity National Center, will take her case to the legislature rather than waiting till 2016 to put the law on the ballot again.
The defeat was narrow, but there may be a wider gap to cross than what was previously expected. The huge divide created by the oppositions ability to spend may have been the deciding factor.
The two major opposition groups reportedly spent close to $6 million to sway the public in their favor. The groups in favor of Question 2 spent a little more than $1 million, while those against spent nearly $5 million, so says the NY Times.
Its a tactic theyve used in other states, to blitz the airwaves with commercials. Its so easy to scare people on this issue; thats what happened in Massachusetts, said Peg Sandeen.
The New York Times reports that there are currently two states that allow physician-assisted suicide: Washington and Oregon. In the last year, 103 people received lethal prescriptions in Washington, while 114 people received lethal prescriptions in Oregon. Nearly one-third of those who received their prescriptions never used them.
According to The Atlantic*, The majority of those in Oregon who have ended their lives legally were white males. The average age of the deceased was 71-years-old and 81% of them had cancer.
Tom Kiley Jr., Massachusetts wrongful death lawyer, has worked with families dealing with the death of a loved one and others who have family in critical condition. When it comes to Death With Dignity, there are no easy answers. Some of our clients are going through a great deal of physical and emotional pain and are looking for any way to find peace. Others are beyond grateful for their opportunity to have a second chance after their circumstances were extremely grim.
We assist a wide variety of people with differing opinions, and many times, there are multiple valid points on both ends of the spectrum, said Tom Kiley Jr.
The Center for Disease Control* (CDC) reported that more than 2 million United States citizens suffered injuries and were hospitalized in 2011. Some feel that giving someone the chance to make life-ending decisions during periods of severe depression and emotional distress may be a recipe for disaster.
Massachusetts Death With Dignity supporters have their work cut out for them. Those in opposition have rallied behind two important points that need to be addressed.
The law would have required a physician to recommend that patients notify next of kin as to their intent, but family notification was not required. The law also required that patients who are interested must be referred to a psychiatrist if their physician believes that they may have a disorder impairing their judgment. Some feel that this should be required of all patients who are interested.
About Kiley Law Group
Kiley Law Group is a wrongful death law firm located in Boston, Massachusetts. The attorneys at Kiley Law Group have been assisting victims of catastrophic injuries and wrongful death for decades and have done so with a commitment to excellence and top-notch legal representation.
For more information about Massachusetts wrongful death attorneys, visit their website or call 888-208-1695.
Attribution*:
newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/06/how-the-death-with-dignity-law-died-in-massachusetts
theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/07/the-evolving-state-of-physician-assisted-suicide/259862/
webappa.cdc.gov/sasweb/ncipc/nfirates2001.html
Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/death/dignity/prweb10322420.htm.
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