Category: Healthcare

Thoughts on Medical Assisted Suicide Is Available for Film Showings

by Paula Panzarella, Progressives Against Medical Assisted Suicide

Progressives Against Medical Assisted Suicide (PAMAS) had the premiere showing of its film Thoughts on Medical Assisted Suicide on March 25 at the Hamden Miller Memorial Library. Many more public viewings in Connecticut will be scheduled in the months ahead.

This film raises many difficult questions and societal concerns, such as: how the cost of medical care impacts one’s choice, racial discrimination, fear of disability, denial of coverage by medical insurance companies, and prejudice against the elderly. The value of the audience discussion of these issues cannot be overestimated.

The film was produced by Progressives Against Medical Suicide and Karyl Evans Productions LLC, with partial funding from the Haymarket People’s Fund, the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, and the Patients Rights Action Fund.

If any PAR readers have suggestions for future venues of film showings, or would like to help organize a showing, please contact [email protected]. Possible locations include libraries, classes, community centers or organizations.

For more information, please visit our website at https://pamasprogressives.org.

News from the Urban League of Southern CT

Vanessa Simmons, Exec. Admin. Assistant, ULSC

The Urban League of Southern Connecticut proudly announces its involvement in a groundbreaking national initiative to diversify participation and equitable access to clinical trials. The EQBMED initiative is dedicated to fostering diverse representation in clinical trials.

We are in partnership with Yale School of Medicine’s Equitable Breakthroughs in the Advancement of Medicine Development (EQBMED). It is our goal to engage our communities in conversations to provide information, and discuss the importance of our participation in clinical trial research that we have been hesitant to become involved in due to our past history, and to address barriers that have prevented us from participating in the research and development of life-saving medicines that are genetically researched and developed for our bodies to ensure the best outcome for us.

For more information about EQBMED visit us at: www.ulsc.org, www.EQBMED.org, or medicine.yale.edu.

Progressives Against Medical Assisted Suicide Film to Premier Early in 2025: Venues Needed for Showings

Joan Cavanagh, Progressives Against Medical Assisted Suicide

Thanks to those who have contributed funds, ideas, and/or moral support, the Progressives Against Medical Assisted Suicide (PAMAS) film about the social and humanitarian dangers of legalization of medical assisted suicide is on target for completion by the end of the year. On Sept. 16, four interviews were filmed, each powerful in its own way. We are looking forward to a second group on Nov. 12. We are working on background content, and our filmmaker will complete a “first draft edit” late in November which we will review for a final edit. Then, American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be synced in for the completed version.

2025 arrives soon, bringing a new CT legislative session. A new MAS bill will likely be introduced into a committee that proponents have publicly promised to stack with supporters. So, it’s prime time for public discussions about the general issue. We are seeking venues in which to show the film and host discussions following it. We’re approaching libraries, medical schools, colleges and universities, law schools and any other venues in Connecticut that we can think of.

This is more than just asking for a room to rent. We are looking for locations that will do publicity through their own networks and lend a hand with technical issues. If you have or can make relevant contacts in the greater New Haven area or elsewhere, let us know.

We are also pleased to share the film with people in Connecticut (or in other states) for showings. The issue of medical-assisted suicide is a national (and international) problem. Many states will have legislation pending next year and in the future. Our film will not be specific to any particular state or piece of legislation, so it should be relevant for all areas and for several years at least. It will be available on our website or via a YouTube link for people to watch individually, but the beauty of showing the movie quality version to a group is to allow for subsequent discussion and remarks. The film itself will be about 15-20 minutes long.

Please contact us at [email protected].

Medical Assisted Suicide Defeated Once Again in Connecticut

by Joan Cavanagh, Progressives Against Medical Assisted Suicide

SB 1076, making it legal for doctors to prescribe lethal drugs for terminally ill patients, was halted in the Judiciary Committee on April 19. The Committee decided not to call for a vote because there was not nearly enough support to pass the legislation. A number of Democrats on the Committee clearly did not share the enthusiasm of some of their colleagues for this dangerous bill, which would threaten the lives of the most vulnerable in our discriminatory, profit-driven medical system.

During the subsequent discussion, it was clear that opposition to this legislation does not merely come from those with a religious perspective, thanks to Rep. Steven Strafstrom (D., Bridgeport), as well as signs held by members of Progressives Against Medical Assisted. In concluding remarks, Stafstrom acknowledged the pain and grief of some of the individual advocates of the bill, but added: “I also want to acknowledge that this is not an issue where there is only passion on one side. I think there is passion and also rightfully concern on the other side of this, which we heard a little bit on this committee today, and certainly we’ve heard in our discussions in the Democratic caucus on this bill over the last few years as well. And no, it’s not all about religion. I’m tired of hearing that…Frankly it’s insulting.”

Stafstrom said that he had been “struggling” with the bill but had begun increasingly to question it in part because of recent legislative and judicial efforts in states such as Oregon and Vermont, where Medical Assisted Suicide is legal, to weaken or remove even the currently existing restrictions. One of the arguments Second Thoughts Connecticut and Progressives Against Medical Assisted Suicide have repeatedly made against this legislation is that it is the strategy of Compassion and Choices to first get the laws enacted and then to expand their scope either through the legislature or through the courts.

Many thanks to those who have written, spoken, and worked against this bill for the last five months.

Progressives Against Medical Assisted Suicide Holds Press Conference; Members Testify at Public Hearing Feb. 27

by Joan Cavanagh, Progressives Against Medical Assisted Suicide

Progressives Against Medical Assisted Suicide (PAMAS) held a press conference at the Legislative Office Building on Feb. 27, just before a public hearing before the Public Health Committee to discuss this year’s assisted suicide bill, SB 1076. Co-sponsored by Second Thoughts Connecticut, speakers included Cathy Ludlum, a Second Thoughts leader; Dr. Diane Meier, Director Emerita and Strategic Advisor at the Center to Advance Palliative Care and Professor of Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; and PAMAS members Nancy Alisberg, Elaine Kolb, and Joan Cavanagh. (You can watch the press conference at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgO544V5M6k, thanks to Stanley Heller, who videotaped it.)

Six PAMAS members also testified against the bill at the public hearing, including Alisberg and Cavanagh as well as Deborah Elkin, Paula Panzarella, Monica McGovern, and Frank Panzarella.

The Public Health Committee, unfortunately, passed the bill at a meeting where none of the legislators who spoke even mentioned the many objections raised not only by PAMAS but also by disability justice activists. We expect that it will now be taken up by the Judiciary Committee. Please, write to members of that committee immediately and let them know that you oppose it, even if you are not in their district.

(The entire list of members can be found at cga.ct.gov/jud). If you can’t write to all of them, at least be sure to write to your own representatives and senators.

For more info, email [email protected].

How COVID Has Affected Personal Lives of Low-Income New Haveners

by Alana Rosenberg, Justice, Housing and Health Study

The Justice, Housing and Health Study team conducted a survey to capture the experience of life during the COVID pandemic. This community report is based on responses to the COVID survey taken between December 2020 and June 2021. 259 participants completed the survey. For many communities, COVID has exacerbated economic and housing instability. Throughout the pandemic, federal and state governments have dedicated massive amounts of resources, for extended periods of time, to U.S. citizens.

Policies were also passed to protect people from the virus and the economic repercussions of the pandemic. The JustHouHS COVID survey asked questions about participants’ experiences with COVID and the policies meant to help people better cope with its impacts.

This Winter 2022 report begins by describing how COVID affected the personal lives and social networks of participants. It then documents what criminal justice involvement looked like for participants during the pandemic. It also explores the economic burdens the pandemic placed on participants and their access to financial and other resources. Lastly, the report describes how JustHouHS participants’ housing situations changed with COVID.

As the pandemic continues, we hope this report helps policymakers and community stakeholders understand the vulnerability of low-income residents who continue to endure, inequitably, the negative consequences of the virus on health and wellbeing.

Website: https://www.american.edu/cas/social-justice-lab/justhouhs.cfm
Winter 2022 report: www.american.edu/cas/social-justice-lab/upload/covid-community-report-winter-2022.pdf.

Mothers and Others for Justice

by Cindy Miller, intern, CCA

Mothers and Others for Justice (MOFJ), a New Haven grassroots advocacy group sponsored by Christian Community Action (CCA), is welcoming new members to join us in our efforts to enact positive changes around the lack of affordable housing, healthcare disparities, safe communities and other quality of life issues.

Many of the group members are single heads of household women of color who use their individual and collective voices to influence state and local policy and decision-makers to implement solutions that help people to become self-sufficient. Participation in MOFJ has proved transformational for many members as they return to school, serve their communities, work on political campaigns, and run for office.

Many of the members of MOFJ are committed to the HEALTH sub-committee (Helping Everyone Achieve Lasting Trusted Healthcare) in order to identify and advocate for changes in the healthcare system. We recognize that access to safe, affordable housing is closely related to achieving optimal health outcomes.

Over the years, the members of MOFJ have become empowered by sharing their life stories locally and at the State Capitol. In the coming months, the group is enthusiastic about the opportunity to have their stories recorded in a new grant-funded story lab. Like the cliché, a picture is worth a thousand words, one story of a member of MOFJ and his or her unique struggles tells much more than pages of statistics.

MOFJ will co-host a January legislative breakfast where they will have the opportunity to communicate directly with members of the local and state government the areas in which they believe legislation is necessary. Benefit cliffs and affordable housing top the list of concerns, the latter concern being evident at a recent aldermanic meeting where a number of members of MOFJ presented testimony about inclusionary zoning.

During the pandemic, healthcare disparities between low-income people of color and others were starkly demonstrated — further evidence that those whom CCA serves do not have lasting trusted healthcare. In order to better understand the gaps and areas of dissatisfaction, a survey of 200 members of the community is underway, and there is an online town hall meeting scheduled for Monday, January 10, from 7-8:30 p.m. to encourage conversation and possible solutions on ideas where participants feel need improvement. This meeting has been entitled, “Tell ’Em Why You’re Mad!” It is important that the participants be entirely forth-coming as that will enable CCA to plan its advocacy work through which change can be achieved. Furthermore, it is hoped that the participants will bring up areas about which they want to be educated in a five-part “Health Institute” that will be open to the public to be held in the Spring.

MOFJ has monthly meetings on the fourth Wednesday of the month from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in New Haven at which there is frequently a speaker on issues of interest. All are welcome to attend meetings as well as to participate in the upcoming Town Hall Meeting on healthcare issues and the HEALTH Institute.

If there are questions, don’t hesitate to contact either Merryl Eaton (Director of Advocacy and Education at CCA): [email protected]) or Cindy Miller: [email protected].

Health In Conversation: Vaccine Hesitancy & Misinformation with Heidi J. Larson

Health In Conversation: Vaccine Hesitancy & Misinformation with Heidi J. Larson

Tuesday, Dec. 21 @ Noon on Zoom & Facebook Live

Heidi J. Larson, PhD, is Professor of Anthropology, Risk and Decision Science and is the Founding Director of the Vaccine Confidence Project at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. She is also Clinical Professor of Health Metrics Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, USA, and Guest Professor at the University of Antwerp, Belgium.

https://nhfpl.libnet.info/event/5884306

Have Your Say About Community Crisis Response!

by Annie Harper, PhD, Program for Recovery and Community Health,
Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine

The city is preparing to create a community crisis response team to respond to emergency calls for which police, ambulance or fire aren’t appropriate, including when people are in distress due to mental health and substance use problems. Let the city know what the new team should look like. Who should be on it? What support should they provide? How can we be sure it remains accountable to the community? Text/leave a message at (475) 212-2510, email [email protected], or drop off your ideas on paper at all local library branches. Visit bit.ly/nhccrt to learn more!
Thank you!

Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services (IRIS) Stands with Afghan Families

Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services (IRIS) is currently welcoming evacuated Afghan families and are ready on 24-hour notice to receive as many as needed.

Please help us:

Donate to defray costs of essentials upon arrival emergent costs.  Irisct.org/donate.

Join a local community group in towns around the state and work with IRIS to welcome families in your community. irisct.org/communitycosponsorship.

Collect backpacks, school supplies, winter coats and waterproof winter boots. Our storage is limited at this moment. Please email [email protected].

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