The hottest Assisted Dying Substack posts right now

There's a big debate about whether terminally ill people should get legal help to end their lives. Some believe the laws should change to support this decision, while others think it's best to keep the state out of it.
Many people, especially in the Parkinson's community, might not qualify for assisted dying under current proposals. They may not get a 'terminal' diagnosis in time, even if their suffering is severe.
Countries like Spain have different rules about assisted dying, allowing people with chronic conditions to seek help. This brings up questions about who decides what's considered unbearable suffering.

Assisted suicide has become a routine part of healthcare, with well-established referral networks and forms to fill out.
About one out of every 20 deaths in Canada is due to the government-run MAID program, which has resulted in nearly 110,000 deaths overall.
The program can end lives very quickly — in Ontario in 2023 many people died the same day or the next day after requesting MAID — and that speed raises ethical worries that hastening death can become the path of least resistance.

Canada’s assisted‑suicide program lets people request MAID even if they aren’t terminally ill, as long as they say their suffering is intolerable and can’t be relieved in a way they find acceptable.
People with disabilities, chronic illnesses, mental‑health issues, and difficult social situations have been approved for MAID, and those decisions often cause deep pain and conflict within families.
Because eligibility rests on subjective judgments about intolerable suffering, the program blurs the line between medical conditions and everyday social hardship, and many Canadians end up choosing assisted death each year.

The author believes people should have the choice to end their suffering through assisted death. Personal experiences can shape our views on complex topics like this.
Assisted dying laws have been discussed globally, with countries like the Netherlands, Canada, and the UK considering legislation. It's important to explore these issues from different perspectives.
The story of the author's mother shows that even the healthiest people can face serious illnesses like cancer. This highlights the unpredictability of life and health.

New York is considering a law that would allow assisted dying with no waiting period. This is different from other states that have waiting times.
Some people worry that making it too easy to die could turn suicide into a medical choice for those in crisis.
A family member shared their experience, saying they didn't want to suffer if diagnosed with a terminal illness. This highlights the personal impact of such laws.

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Assisted dying has good intentions, as it offers a choice to people in pain, but how it’s implemented is very important. We need to make sure that laws respect individual decisions and do not lead to negative outcomes.
The proposed law on assisted dying could be rushed, which raises concerns about its effectiveness and potential problems. It's better to take time to create a solid law that can address all the issues carefully.
Looking at examples from other countries suggests that assisted dying laws can lead to serious issues if not properly controlled. We should learn from their experiences to avoid similar mistakes.