Massachusetts Voters Deny Rights to Terminally-Ill People

Posted by Peg Sandeen, MSW on November 7, 2012

Massachusetts Question 2 election results: 49% (yes) to 51% (no)

Despite strong early support for Death with Dignity in Massachusetts the final vote tally didn't give more Americans another end-of-life option. In the end, the opponents' enormous smear campaign based on fear and misinformation won the day. But the foundation for support has been built, and we'll keep working to make sure voters in Massachusetts and other states get the facts they need for an open and honest debate about Death with Dignity.

Together, we've changed the entire conversation around end-of-life care policy reform. A little over a year ago, many people in Massachusetts and throughout New England started hearing about Death with Dignity laws for the first time, and since that time, the need for these carefully crafted laws has been a hot topic on television programs, news publications, blogs, editorial columns, and countless letters to editors.

More Headlines

Massachusetts Voters Deny Rights to Terminally-Ill People - November 7, 2012
Massachusetts Media Round-Up - July 18, 2012
Death with Dignity Qualifies for Massachusetts November Ballot - July 9, 2012
Dignity 2012 Turns in Double the Number of Signatures Necessary - June 26, 2012
Board Members Make Leadership Gift to Dignity 2012 - May 24, 2012

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You are the key to ensuring well-crafted Death with Dignity laws for all Americans. With your financial and volunteer help, the Death with Dignity National Center, a 501(c)(3), non-partisan, non-profit organization, has been the leading advocate in the death with dignity movement. Member contributions helped us pass a new Death with Dignity law in Washington, defend the Oregon law, and provide education and outreach programs for the vitality of the death with dignity movement.

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Who We Are

The Oregon Death with Dignity Political Action Fund partners with the Death with Dignity National Center and conducts lobbying and political activities in order to achieve the enactment of Death with Dignity laws in other states.

Learn more about efforts to bring dignity to people around the nation.

History

The Oregon Death with Dignity Political Action Fund (the Fund) began in 1993 as Oregon Right to Die, a state political action committee, formed to help pass the Oregon Death with Dignity Act. The Death with Dignity Act was tied up by legal challenges and a legislative repeal effort until the fall of 1997.

In late 2001, Oregon Right to Die changed its name and tax status to become the Oregon Death with Dignity Political Action Fund. This effort was undertaken so the organization could more easily combine its political strengths with the Death with Dignity National Center. Together these organizations are positioned to lead the charge in the death with dignity movement.

Learn more about the Fund and our family of organizations.

Patients & Families

The Death with Dignity National Center was formed out of a profound commitment to the idea that personal end-of-life decisions should be made solely between a patient and a physician. We are pleased to provide you with support and information as you face the difficult challenges ahead.

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Research Center

We have compiled a comprehensive collection of legal briefs, journal articles, and newspaper clippings. We invite you to explore the wide array of information we have collected throughout our history.

Dive into the archives of the National Center.


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