skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Hegseth could lead troops who'd face getting fired for actions he's done in the past; Strong Santa Ana winds return for SoCal; Southeast Asian refugees in MA fear deportation, seek Biden pardon; RSV rise puts Indiana hospitals on alert; CT lawmakers urged to focus on LGBTQ+ legislation.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The Special Counsel's report says Donald Trump would have been convicted for election interference. Defense Secretary pick Pete Hegseth faces harsh questioning from Senate Democrats, and law enforcement will be increased for next week's inauguration.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

"Drill, baby, drill" is a tough sell for oil and gas companies in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, rising sea levels create struggles for Washington's coastal communities, and more folks than ever are taking advantage of America's great outdoors.

Some Terminally Ill PA Patients Seek Medical Aid Across State Lines

play audio
Play

Wednesday, September 6, 2023   

Some Pennsylvania patients with long-term chronic illnesses are hoping to make legal headway, allowing them to seek medical aid in dying across state lines.

Andrea Sealy, a patient advocate and cancer patient who has endured a double mastectomy, more than 10 surgeries and multiple rounds of radiation, lives just 10 minutes from New Jersey and would prefer to have choices in death should she need them.

Sealy noted she lives a full a life, but if her health declines, she does not want legal stipulations to get in the way of her quality of life or death.

"I don't want to die, I want to have that free will and option when a situation comes about," Sealy explained. "I would like to avoid any suffering and also to spare my family and loved ones the same. I want to feel free to live until then, as well."

Pennsylvania law does not currently allow for medical aid in dying. State lawmakers introduced the Compassionate Aid in Dying Act earlier this year. If passed, it would allow a person with a terminal illness to get a doctor's prescription to ease their suffering if they choose to use it.

New Jersey has such a law, but Sealy is one of the patients challenging its residency stipulation in U.S. District Court.

Kevin Diaz, chief legal advocacy officer for Compassion & Choices, said medical aid in dying is the only medical treatment barred to nonresidents anywhere in the country. He sees it as unconstitutional and argued everyone should have their rights.

"People really should not have their medical care determined by what ZIP code they live in," Diaz contended. "And if there's medical care that is two miles away from you, or 50 miles away from you, just because it's in another state that you should be able to access it, assuming that you know it's available and lawful and it's something that really is in your best interest."

The lawsuit is the third in the nation to challenge a medical aid-in-dying law's residency requirement. Nationwide, 10 jurisdictions have passed laws with a residency mandate, but two states have removed the requirement following legal challenges by Compassion & Choices.

Disclosure: Compassion & Choices contributes to our fund for reporting on Civic Engagement, Health Issues, Senior Issues, and Social Justice. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
In December, the Oregon Investment council found the state's Public Employee Retirement System returned 2.7%, which lagged other states and its benchmark, in part because of fewer public investments. (Ded Pixto/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

A new bill aims to further reduce investments in fossil fuels by Oregon's Public Employee Retirement System. The Pause Act would impose a five-year …


play sound

As the popular role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons turns 50, one Colorado State University instructor suggests today's political leaders could …

Social Issues

play sound

Michigan's tipped wage system is on the brink of extinction, with changes set to take effect next month after a state Supreme Court ruling last year …


According to the American Immigration Council, immigrants make up more than 22% of Florida's population, with undocumented residents comprising nearly 4%, contributing significantly to the state's economy and workforce. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Florida has been a key battleground in the national immigration debate, with past legislation banning sanctuary cities and requiring companies to use …

Social Issues

play sound

A proposed amendment to strip Chicago of its sanctuary protections is scheduled to be voted on this week. The change to the Welcome City Ordinance …

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation estimated the United States is home to 2 million transgender people. (Sabrina/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

A California nonprofit dedicated to helping transgender and gender-nonconforming people find good jobs is looking to expand its mission in 2025…

Environment

play sound

By Yessenia Funes for Next City and Yale Climate Connections. Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for Georgia News Connection reporting for the …

Social Issues

play sound

Members of the Texas Legislature are back in Austin for its 89th legislative session. After newly elected lawmakers are sworn in, members will vote …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021