To the Editor:

I read with sadness the hasty editorial in favor of assisted suicide in The Newtown Bee [Editorial Ink Drops, “Death And Dignity,” 3/27/15].  Connecticut does not license anyone to assist another's suicide because there is too much risk for abuse, neglect, fraud and worse. We should not make an exception for doctors because there is an entire malpractice industry testament to the fact that they make mistakes, can be incompetent, overly-confident, and subject to all the same human failings as the rest of us including bias, bigotry and greed. Medical error, including misdiagnosis by doctors, is the third leading cause of death in the United States.  My children, family, friends, neighbors and myself are all protected by laws and ethical oaths prohibiting their participation in suicide. The Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice agrees and submitted written testimony against H.B. No. 7015 stating that it could have “unintended and very unwelcome consequences.”

People with disabilities strongly oppose this bill because there will never be “safeguards” to prevent the constant whisper of biased doctors and staff that maybe their lives aren't worth living. As the parent of a child with disabilities, I have witnessed the natural bias against my daughter in the distribution of medical services and scarce resources. I am confident that any law that aids suicide for some, will become a duty and obligation for vulnerable people like my daughter. There are many alternatives for end of life care.

The State of Connecticut was the first state to license a hospice care location.  But we now rank last in length of stay there. They are the experts in true dignity that people access their law because they fear losing autonomy (91.5 percent), not fear of pain (24.7 percent).  Connecticut citizens would be better served by improving autonomy by increasing funding for home health care aides and attendants.  Many more people would benefit from mandatory training for doctors on cutting edge pain medication and amelioration, not aiding suicide.  I hope our legislators will continue to see the wisdom of opposing assisted suicide and its unintended consequences.statistics show at the end of life and we should join them in opposing this bill.  In Oregon, where assisted suicide is legal,

Monica O'Brien

14 Concord Ridge Road, Newtown            March 30, 2015