Disability-rights groups vow to block aid-in-dying bill

Disability-rights activists on Tuesday vowed to block a bill that would permit terminally-ill patients to obtain a physician’s help to end their lives.

Cathy Ludlum, a Manchester woman who has spinal atrophy, said the bill pending before the legislature’s public health committee devalues the lives of people with disabilities.

“I see it as a dangerous option,” Ludlum said at a press conference.

The public health committee is slated to hold a hearing on the bill Wednesday. Senate bill 88 would allow mentally competent patients with less than six months to live to obtain a prescription from a doctor for a lethal dose of medication. Nine states and the District of Columbia have passed similar laws.

The concept has been raised in Connecticut at least 14 times since 1994. Last year, for the first time, the bill was approved by a legislative committee but died before coming up for a full vote in either the House or the Senate.

The bill’s supporters say there are safeguards built into the legislation to ensure that vulnerable people are protected. The measure would require two physicians to sign off on a patient’s request and would only be available as an option to people 18 or older who have less than six months to live.

“In spite of claims made by opponents, aid-in-dying laws have proven to work as intended for whom they are intended, and they have for more than 20 years,” said Tim Appleton, senior campaign director for Compassion & Choices, a national advocacy group. “It is fact that not one more person dies as a result of aid-in-dying laws but far fewer will suffer.”

Ludlum and other advocates fighting the bill say the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted health disparities and the unequal treatment experienced by people with disabilities.

The disability community has long been at “a huge disadvantage medically in terms of getting treatment,” Ludlum said. “It’s been doubly hard during the pandemic.”

“COVID showed us what professionals think of us disabled people,” said John Kelly, New England director of Not Dead Yet, an advocacy group opposed to the bill.

“Really this is not the time to be discussing people exiting life when we’re having so much trouble keeping everyone alive. The disability community is very frightened by this.”

Daniela Altimari can be reached at daltimari@courant.com.