It was very disappointing when our New York State legislators and governor approved the Assisted Suicide bill. Thousands of people fought long and hard to prevent it, but a majority of lawmakers eventually caved to the highly financed suicide lobbyists. The law is due to become effective on August 5th.
To give you an update: History has shown that if we can’t get justice from lawmakers, we still have the courts. Therefore, the Institute for Patients’ Rights has joined two federal lawsuits, one in New York and one in Illinois, with a coalition of national and state-based disability and patient advocacy organizations. Two disabled individuals, Anita Cameron and Jose Hernandez are named plaintiffs as well.
Both lawsuits state assisted suicide law violates core protections under the U.S. Constitution and federal civil rights laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The suit argues that the assisted suicide statutes in New York and in Illinois will single out people with disabilities and other vulnerable individuals, placing them at risk of premature death rather than ensuring access to care, support and suicide prevention services.
“Assisted suicide laws in New York and Illinois create a separate and unequal system in which people with life-threatening disabilities are offered death instead of the support programs everyone else gets,” said Matt Vallière, president/executive director of plaintiff organization Institute for Patients’ Rights. “These legal actions are about affirming that every person has inestimable value and dignity, regardless of age, disability, or prognosis, and ensuring that no one is treated as disposable under the law.”
These are the 4th and 5th lawsuits of this kind in the federal court system. They could potentially lead to the Supreme Court and total victory over a eugenic public policy that undermines the inestimable value and dignity of each one of us. Let us return to praying for Jesus to touch the hearts and consciences of the judges and lawyers so that the most vulnerable of us can live out their lives to its natural end as God intended.
Scripture: Read Proverbs 31:8-9. What stands out to you?
Call to Action: The New York judge could prevent implementation in NYS by taking action before August 5th. Please pray, especially for that intention, in the weeks ahead.
