skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Thursday, November 21, 2024

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

Federal inquiry traces payments from Gaetz to women; a new Florida-Puerto Rico partnership poised to transform higher-ed landscape; MT joins Tribes to target Canadian mining pollution; Heart health plummets in rural SD and nationwide; CO working families would pay more under Trump tax proposals.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Transgender rights in Congress, a historic win for Utah's youngest elected official, scrutiny of Democratic Party leadership, and the economic impact of Trump's tax proposals highlight America's shifting political and social landscape.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The CDC has a new plan to improve the health of rural Americans, updated data could better prepare folks for flash floods like those that devastated Appalachia, and Native American Tribes could play a key role in the nation's energy future.

Delaware advances medical aid-in-dying bill

play audio
Play

Monday, May 6, 2024   

Advocates supporting the legalization of medical aid in dying in Delaware are optimistic following the recent passage of House Bill 140. It is now under consideration in the state Senate.

If passed, the bill would allow terminally ill patients with less than six months to live to choose medical aid in dying as part of their advanced directives.

Judy Govatos, a patient and advocate for medical aid in dying, explained the proposed law would give terminally ill patients the power to decide how they want to handle their end-of-life care.

"This isn't just about me," Govatos pointed out. "It's about understanding that dying is a very vital part of life. And the legacy we leave has to do with beginnings and endings. And there's a beginning and ending to death and then a beginning again."

Govatos acknowledged the opposition from religious groups, stressing the legislation respects diverse beliefs while offering options for those who do not find solace in enduring pain. The Catholic Bishops of Maryland wrote in a statement, "Human life is created in the image and likeness of God and therefore sacred." They also wrote medical progress in pain management allows for enhanced comfort for the terminally ill and can "improve the quality of the remainder of their lives."

Kim Callinan, president and CEO of Compassion & Choices, shared the stories of Heather Block and Ron Silverio, the two Delaware residents who advocated for the medical aid-in-dying law but died suffering without being able to access it. She said their stories demonstrated the urgency of passing the legislation, as there are real people behind the legislative inaction.

"When you have legislation that benefits people and harms nobody, there's really no reason not to move forward," Callinan argued. "Our hope is that lawmakers can see the people behind this bill and recognize that the time is now to pass this legislation in Delaware."

Currently, medical aid in dying is legal in 10 U.S. states: Maine, New Jersey, Vermont, New Mexico, Montana, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, California and Hawai'i as well as in Washington, D.C.

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
Since its founding, the CCA program has generated more than $2 billion for transportation and infrastructure upgrades, clean air and water initiatives, utility bill rebates, community solar, indoor air quality improvements and more. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

On Election Day, a broad coalition of conservationists, labor, and others helped defeat a ballot initiative to repeal Washington State's Climate …


Social Issues

play sound

In the wake of Donald Trump's re-election, teachers nationwide are bracing for more censorship battles. Currently, more than 40 laws in 22 states …

Social Issues

play sound

A new annual report shows New York City has more than 146,000 homeless students. The Advocates for Children of New York report finds this is an …


More than 3,000 Maine apprentices were actively working on industry-recognized skill certification in 2022, according to the Maine Department of Labor. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

State officials in Maine said they are working to expand the number of registered apprenticeship programs to help counter a persistent worker shortage…

Social Issues

play sound

School boards are nonpartisan, but a recent trend in Wyoming shows far-right candidates are bringing national politics to local elections. Public …

The middle 20% of Americans, families making between $55,000 and $94,000, would face an average tax increase of $1,530 in 2026 under Trump tax proposals. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

President-elect Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress have promised to pass a new tax bill, and a new report breaks down the expected winners and …

Social Issues

play sound

Recent surveys show a majority of North Dakotans want housing that allows them to live independently as they age. But there aren't a lot of suitable …

Health and Wellness

play sound

The mental healthcare landscape in Nebraska is being upended by policies for reimbursing providers who see patients covered by both Medicare and Medic…

 

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