The Anchor Diocese of Fall River
F riday , November 2, 2012
Panelists encourage voters to vote ‘No’ on Question #2
By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff
sis. It’s all about health care costs, said Toffler. Insurance companies won’t pay for treatments if the patient is expected to live less than five years, but will happily pay 100 percent of the cost of assisted suicide under the banner of “comfort
care facilities in the country. Quality treatments can be found TAUNTON — Even as the in your backyard, said Toffler; gray clouds began to gather and “For me, there’s no neutrality on the wind began to pick up speed, these issues. I believe in dying the energy of the impending with dignity, but naturally.” storm had nothing on the pasBoston attorney Henry Lusion felt by those who attended thin, whose wife is the directhe panel discussion focused tor of the Pro-Life Apostolate on the upcoming Masfor the Archdiocese of sachusetts Physician63-year-old is not worth as Boston, warned that if Assisted Suicide Ballot this ballot does pass, much as a 40-year-old” when amendments are rare: Question #2 at the Holiday Inn in Taunton. it comes to dollars in healthcare, said “This is it,” he said. Organized by the Pro- Toffler. “When you hear progressive, The phrasing is Life Apostolate of the what throws people as it’s actually regressive.” Fall River Diocese, supporters of the bill presenters from varyhave co-opted wording ing backgrounds came that seems to lull those together to help educate voters care.” Medicare ranks Oregon reading it into compliance, thus and show why they should vote 39th in total number of Hospice going along with the act instead “No” when he or she casts their days per covered person. To put of fully understanding the ramivote on November 6. it in perspective, while the aver- fications. A huge issue from a Known as the “Death with age spent on Hospice per person legal standpoint, said Luthin, is Dignity” initiative, the proposed in the U.S. is $1.20, in Florida the death certificate will list the measure of ballot Question #2 it’s $3.25 per person, while in underlying disease as the cause would allow for a terminally-ill Oregon it’s a paltry nine cents of death, not suicide, which patient to be given lethal drugs. per individual. Oregon is also “falsifies documents.” A terminally-ill patient would well above the national average Dr. Mary Patricia Tranter, be defined as a patient being in suicide rates. president of Coyle and Cassidy given six months or fewer to “A 63-year-old is not worth High School in Taunton and colive; the patient requesting the as much as a 40-year-old” when chairman of the Ethics Board at medication must be mentally it comes to dollars in healthcare, Good Samaritan Hospital, said capable to make medical de- said Toffler. “When you hear if the bill presented different opcisions while consulting their progressive, it’s actually regres- tions to dying, such as by using respective doctors; the patient sive.” a knife or gun; “We wouldn’t be would be required to submit his The irony is this bill is being here talking about it today.” or her request orally twice, with proposed in Massachusetts, the Using pills prescribed by a the initial verbal request made home of some of the best healthTurn to page 15 15 days prior to the second oral request accompanied by a written request; the patient’s terminal diagnosis and capability to make health care decisions must be confirmed by a second doctor. Already well established in Oregon, the Death with Dignity Act has a vocal opponent from one of its residents in Dr. William Toffler, the National Director of the Physicians for Compassionate Care Educational Foundation. The goal of the initiative that has now swept to the east coast, said Toffler, is to “immunize you against the cul- JUST VOTE NO — The Pro-Life Apostolate of the Fall River Dioture of death.” cese brought together a panel discussion focused on the upcomProponents of the act say that ing ballot Question #2 regarding physician-assisted suicide, better it’s great to allow those who are known as the “Death with Dignity Act.” “The biggest enemy is lack suffering to end his or her life, of knowledge,” said Marian Desrosiers, apostolate director, as she but taking 90-100 sleeping pills spoke at the podium while leading the Q & A portion of the panel “has nothing to do with pain discussion. From left to right: Peter McNulty, Elizabeth Dost, Mary control,” said Toffler, holding Patricia Tranter, Henry Luthin and William Toffler. (Photo by Becky up a large pill bottle for empha- Aubut)
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CENTURY OF FAITH — Bishop George W. Coleman gives a homily during a special centennial celebration Mass at St. Anthony of Padua Church in New Bedford last weekend. The 100th anniversary Liturgy drew a sizeable congregation to the historic New Bedford church and was concelebrated by Father Marc Bergeron; Father Roger Landry; Msgr. Barry Wall; Father Herbert Nichols; Father Edward A. Murphy, pastor; and Father Thomas Lopes. (Photo by Kenneth J. Souza)