Recent News

Media Release – Care Alliance 2 August 2017
The Care Alliance has welcomed the report of the Health Select Committee’s investigation into the desire to end one’s life, which was tabled in the House today.
“The Committee received nearly 22,000 unique written submissions and heard nearly 1,000 oral submissions,” said Matthew Jansen, Secretary of the Care Alliance. “While eighty percent of those submissions were opposed to the legalisation of euthanasia, the report is a careful and thorough summary of both sides of the issue.”
“We disagree with some of the language and statements in the Report, especially the use of the euphemistic term ‘assisted dying’. Overall, however, we think it is a useful starting point for discussing the issues. It will make sobering reading for anybody who thinks that legalising euthanasia could ever be safe, simple and straight forward.”
“That is why we too ‘encourage everyone with an interest in the subject to read the report in full’,” said Mr Jansen. “It would also be useful if future public polling asked whether respondents had read the report.”
“We extend our thanks to the Committee’s members and staff for the respectful and considerate way they listened to all voices,” said Mr Jansen. “They have heard powerful personal evidence about how we can and should do better to care for each other.”
ENDS

TVNZ One News 2 August 2017
Family First Comment: “Outweighs”?
Yeah – by 4 to 1.
#gameover
After spending more than two years hearing submissions and public opinions on assisted dying, parliament’s health select committee has released its findings without a single recommendation.
Four in five people who contacted the committee during an investigation of public attitudes toward euthanasia legislation were opposed to the idea.

The report comes as Act leader David Seymour’s End of Life Choices Bill is expected to come before parliament, though it’s unlikely to have its first reading before parliament rises in three weeks ahead of next month’s election.
READ MORE: https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/kiwis-opposition-euthanasia-outweighs-support-in-select-committee-report

Euthanasia Prevention Coalition 31 July 2017
Family First Comment: Contrary to the rhetoric that you may hear through the media!
“This increase in the number of attempts to legalize assisted suicide is notable due to the fact that such bills have greater than a 99 percent failure rate. Only three have been signed into law in the last 23 years. In spite of the volume of bills introduced this past year, 100 percent of these attempts failed while Alabama tightened their assisted suicide statute.”
www.rejectassistedsuicide.nz
Initial data from a research study by Dr. Jacqueline H. Abernathy at Tarleton State University finds a staggering increase in the number of attempts to legalize assisted suicide in U.S. over the past year, in spite of an overwhelming failure rate associated with such legislation: fewer than one percent of all assisted suicide bills become law.
The analysis, to be presented at the 2017 National Euthanasia Symposium in Toronto on October 28, included all bills introduced in 36 states and the District of Columbia since 1994. Of the 231 total bills, nearly one-fifth (43 bills) were introduced just this year in 26 states and all attempts failed. This increase in the number of attempts to legalize assisted suicide is notable due to the fact that such bills have greater than a 99 percent failure rate. Only three have been signed into law in the last 23 years. In spite of the volume of bills introduced this past year, 100 percent of these attempts failed while Alabama tightened their assisted suicide statute.
Only in the last 4 years have any bills passed the legislative process and of the three, only one, Vermont in 2013, was signed into law following standard legislative procedure. California followed in 2015 by resurrecting a defeated bill in an unrelated special session, where processes are abbreviated and legislation is rushed. Similar can be said of Washington DC that recently passed their ordinance through only a city council vote rather than a bicameral legislature. These victories may explain, in part, the staggering increase in the number of bills introduced in other states.
READ MORE: http://alexschadenberg.blogspot.co.nz/2017/07/assisted-suicide-legalization-fails-in.html?utm_source=Euthanasia+Prevention+Coalition+Newsletter&utm_campaign=b249d4acda-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_07_31&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_105a5cdd2d-b249d4acda-157142057

Stuff co.nz 30 July 2017
Deeply conservative life insurers could cope with voluntary euthanasia, should it become legal in New Zealand.
But MPs may have to pass laws to ensure insurers always pay up in cases where terminally ill people opt for medical aid to end their suffering.
The fourth attempt at legalising voluntary euthanasia has made headlines, though isn’t now expected to be debated by Parliament until after the September general election.
If it became law, ACT MP David Seymour’s End of Life Choice Bill would allow terminally ill adults likely to die in the next six months to have willing medical professionals provide them with a drug-induced death.
Under Seymour’s proposed law, people suffering unbearably from an incurable medical condition, would also have the right to an assisted death.
Insurance experts say the advent of voluntary euthanasia wouldn’t create a spike in death claims, though insurers would end up making some payments earlier.
Russell Hutchinson from Chatswood Consulting polled life insurers on how they would respond to assisted death claims, but most refused to answer his questions.
READ MORE: https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/95073867/insurers-would-pay-assisted-death-claims

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CBC News 25 July 2017
Family First Comment: Yet another disturbing case from Canada!

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/doctor-suggested-assisted-suicide-daughter-mother-elson-1.4218669

Daily Mail 28 January 2017
Family First Comment: The Netherlands introduced the euthanasia law 17 years ago, and since then more than 5,500 people have ended their life, arguing that they are suffering unbearably. One of those who died was a sex abuse victim who suffered severe anorexia, chronic depression and hallucinations, and another was a severe alcoholic.
#slipperyslope

A Dutch woman doctor who drugged an elderly woman and then asked her family to hold her down as she fought desperately not to be killed did not break the law, according to medical experts citing the country’s euthanasia legislation.

The shocking case was referred to the so-called Regional Review Committee in the Netherlands which admitted that while the case involved some irregularities that merited a reprimand, the female doctor had effectively acted in good faith.

However they also added that the case should come to court so that judges can confirm that any other doctor who acts in good faith when providing euthanasia to people with dementia cannot be prosecuted.

Regional Review Committee Chairman Jacob Kohnstamm said: ‘I am convinced that the doctor acted in good faith, and we would like to see more clarity on how such cases are handled in the future.’

The Netherlands introduced the euthanasia law 17 years ago, and since then more than 5,500 people have ended their life, arguing that they are suffering unbearably. One of those who died was a sex abuse victim who suffered severe anorexia, chronic depression and hallucinations, and another was a severe alcoholic.

Every time a doctor performs euthanasia, they have to prepare a report for the coroner who sends the relevant documents to the Regional Review Committee.

In the latest controversial incident the unnamed woman, who was over 80, reportedly suffered from dementia and had earlier expressed a desire for euthanasia when she deemed that ‘the time was right’.

As her situation deteriorated, it became difficult for her husband to care for her, and she was placed in a nursing home.

Medical paperwork showed that she often exhibited signs of fear and anger, and would wander around the building at nights. The nursing home senior doctor was of the opinion that she was suffering intolerably, but that she was no longer in a position where she could confirm that the time was now right for the euthanasia to go ahead.

However the doctor was of the opinion that the woman’s circumstances made it clear that the time was now right.

The doctor secretly placed a soporific in her coffee to calm her, and then had started to give her a lethal injection.

Yet while injecting the woman she woke up, and fought the doctor. The paperwork showed that the only way the doctor could complete the injection was by getting family members to help restrain her.

It also revealed that the patient said several times ‘I don’t want to die’ in the days before she was put to death, and that the doctor had not spoken to her about what was planned because she did not want to cause unnecessary extra distress. She also did not tell her about what was in her coffee as it was also likely to cause further disruptions to the planned euthanasia process.

The Review Committee concluded that the doctor ‘has crossed the line’ by giving her the first sleeping medicine, and also should have stopped when the woman resisted.

The paperwork and the recommendations of the committee are now being considered by prosecutors and health officials.

Kohnstamm said he was in favour of a trial: ‘Not to punish the doctor, who acted in good faith and did what she had to do, but to get judicial clarity over what powers a doctor has when it comes to the euthanasia of patients suffering from severe dementia.’

It comes at a time when the Netherlands is considering a proposed extension to the law which would give all over-75s the right to assisted suicide.
READ MORE: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4166098/Female-Dutch-doctor-drugged-patient-s-coffee.html?offset=0&max=100&jumpTo=comment-175426032

Media Release – Care Alliance 12 July 2017
Family First Comment: The first question, released today, is ‘Why 18 years of age?’.
This question highlights the inconsistency of Mr Seymour’s argument that euthanasia is ‘compassionate’. If killing is so kind, why not make it available for children as they do in Belgium and the Netherlands? In 2013 Maryan Street said ‘Application for children with terminal illness was a bridge too far in my view at this time. That might be something that may happen in the future but not now.
The Care Alliance today launched a campaign highlighting ten key questions MPs need to ask about David Seymour’s End of Life Choice Bill.
“Mr Seymour’s bill is an extreme version of a very bad idea,” said Matthew Jansen, Secretary of the Care Alliance. “All New Zealanders need to examine it critically, especially Members of Parliament who might be asked to debate it soon.”
Mr Jansen said the Ten Questions would be progressively released over the next two weeks. The first question, released today, is ‘Why 18 years of age?’. “This question highlights the inconsistency of Mr Seymour’s argument that euthanasia is ‘compassionate’. If killing is so kind, why not make it available for children as they do in Belgium and the Netherlands?”
He noted that in 2013 Maryan Street said ‘Application for children with terminal illness was a bridge too far in my view at this time. That might be something that may happen in the future, but not now.’
“The reality is that making 18 the age of eligibility is a political calculation, rather than an ethical, legal or medical judgment,” said Mr Jansen.
ENDS

Netherlands Considers Euthanasia For Healthy People, Doctors Say Things Are ‘Getting Out Of Hand’
The Federalist 30 June 2017
Family First Comment: “In 2016, there were 6,091 reported instances of euthanasia in the Netherlands. Of those, 141 were for patients with dementia. That is up from 12 such cases in 2009. Also for patients with chronic psychiatric illness, there were 0 instances of euthanasia in 2009, but by 2016 that number had risen to 60. “The numbers are small, you could argue,” Chabot writes. “But look at the rapid increase…The financial gutting of the health care sector has particularly harmed the quality of life of these types of patients. It’s logical to conclude that euthanasia is going to skyrocket.””
www.rejectassistedsuicide.org.nz
Politicians in the Netherlands are discussing the possibility of legalizing euthanasia for healthy people. The proposed “Completed Life Bill” would allow any person age 75 or over who decides their life is “complete” to receive euthanasia. It doesn’t matter if they are otherwise perfectly healthy.
Under current Dutch law, a person only becomes eligible for euthanasia when they have a terminal illness and are suffering unbearably. Pia Dijkstra, an MP for Dutch political party D66, is preparing to introduce the Completed Life Bill. D66 spearheaded most of the groundbreaking socially progressive legislation for which the Netherlands is famous. They are historically a smaller party—they’ve never had a Prime Minister—but they’ve proven themselves to be politically effective.

What Would It Take For This To Pass?

D66 would eventually like to legalize euthanasia for any adult who wishes to die. They openly admit that the Completed Life Bill is a step towards realizing that goal. In March, D66 leader Alexander Pechtold was confronted on a political talk show by a 57-year-old man who said he wishes to die. He asked why the Completed Life Bill is only persons age 75 and older. “I have to wait 18 more years. I don’t feel like waiting 18 years. I want it now,” he said.
Pechtold replied, “It’s my personal opinion that in our civilization dying is an individual consideration. You didn’t ask to be brought into the world.” He went on to explain that currently there is political support for legalizing euthanasia for healthy elderly persons. “If we want to maintain that support and not disrupt the discussion then we have to take it step-by-step. In 2002 we passed the euthanasia law for unbearable suffering. In my view, Pia Dijkstra can now continue persuading parliament and the country to—in my own words and personal opinion—take the next step for our civilization.”
Ironically, the Dutch public news broadcaster decided to include a notice with the number for a suicide prevention hotline directly below where the video of Pechtold’s comments is embedded on their website.
If the Completed Life Bill comes to a vote in Parliament, it will most likely pass. Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy has said he is willing to enact it. The question is whether the bill will be placed on the legislative agenda.
READ MORE: http://thefederalist.com/2017/06/30/netherlands-considers-euthanasia-healthy/?utm_source=The+Federalist+List&utm_campaign=e8d13aa942-RSS_The_Federalist_Daily_Updates_w_Transom&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_cfcb868ceb-e8d13aa942-83911605

Prime 7 28 June 2017
Family First Comment: So much for ‘safeguards’. Euthanasia just makes vulnerable people more vulnerable, unfortunately.
“They were not terminally ill people but on the other hand, they were not in the best of health either.”
#rejectassistedsuicide
Euthanasia activist Philip Nitschke says a Gold Coast mother and her two daughters had been members of his euthanasia group and started planning their deaths more than six months ago.
Margaret, Heather and Wynette Cummins’ bodies were found in one of their homes following an apparent triple suicide pact on Tuesday.
Dr Nitschke told AAP on Wednesday he did not personally know the women but confirmed they had joined his Exit International group.
“It was a bit over six months ago,” he said from Amsterdam.
“They were not terminally ill people but on the other hand, they were not in the best of health either.
“They were obviously working out what they wanted to do.”
Dr Nitschke said three members had never ended their lives at the same time before, and it was also unusual all of them chose to use the same method.
But the man known as Dr Death said it appeared to be a “rational and informed choice” and their decision to end their lives because of their health problems was a matter only for them.
“It needs to be respected, it doesn’t mean you need to be enthusiastic about it,” he said.
The euthanasia advocate said Australia’s laws were stuck in the dark ages.
READ MORE: https://au.prime7.yahoo.com/q1/news/a/-/local/36178271/qld-trio-planned-their-deaths-nitschke/

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Radio NZ News 26 June 2017
A Welsh professor of palliative medicine and cross-bench member of the House of Lords has arrived in New Zealand to challenge David Seymour’s End of Life Choice Bill.
The ACT leader’s euthanasia bill was pulled from the members’ ballot earlier this month to go before Parliament.
The End of Life Choice Bill would allow for assisted dying in cases where people are terminally ill but still mentally sound.
Ilora Finlay said that going by what had happened in Oregon and Belgium, the legalisation of assisted suicide in New Zealand would lead to 120 cases a year, while legalising euthanasia would lead to around 1200.
Baroness Finlay said Mr Seymour’s bill was dangerous.
“It isn’t restrictive at all, it also goes beyond physician-assisted suicide and it goes to euthanasia, but you do fundamentally change the relationship between the doctor and the patient when you go down that road.”
Ilora Finlay will take part in a public panel discussion at Parliament on Wednesday.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/333841/act-s-euthanasia-bill-dangerous-professor