Efforts in Rhode Island

By None, Death with Dignity Update, March 10, 2006

Rhode Island Death with Dignity Act

Rhode Island representatives Edith Ajello, Arthur Handy, Elizabeth Dennigan, Amy Rice and Elaine Coderre introduced House Bill No. 7428 (Rhode Island Death with Dignity Act) on February 16, 2006. Modeled on Oregon's law, HB7428 has been referred to the House Committee on Health, Education and Welfare, where it will likely remain by the time the current legislative session ends sometime in June or July. Ajello recently told the DDNC she is "proud to begin the discussion in Rhode Island" and anticipates growing support among Rhode Islanders "over the next few years." Read HB7428.


Rhode Island State Representative Edith Ajello (Dist. 3)

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For more than 14 years, the Death with Dignity National Center (DDNC), a 501(c)(3), non-partisan, non-profit organization, has been the leading advocate in the death with dignity movement. Leaders in our organization originally wrote and have continued advocating for the Oregon Death with Dignity Law. DDNC has met these challenges through extensive legal defense of the Oregon law, education and outreach programs, and by developing and nurturing diverse financial resources with one goal in mind: to ensure DDNC's financial vitality and its position as a leader in the death with dignity movement.

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Washington: Yes on 1000

For two years, our highest organizational priority has been securing passage of the Washington Death with Dignity Act through the voter initiative process.

Our generous donors have helped us provide the campaign with over $300,000 in seed money and we have pledged to raise an additional $650,000 for the campaign. We were an instrumental part of the team that devised the campaign structure, and we will continue to provide political strategy and legal expertise throughout the campaign.

Read on for an insider's analysis of the Washington campaign.

About Death with Dignity

The greatest human freedom is to live, and die, according to one's own desires and beliefs. The most common desire among those with a terminal illness is to die with some measure of dignity. From advance directives to physician-assisted dying, death with dignity is a movement to provide options for the dying to control their own end-of-life care.

Death with Dignity National Center (DDNC) is the leader in this movement, successfully establishing, advancing and defending the landmark Oregon Death with Dignity Act -- a national catalyst for openly discussing and actively reforming end-of-life care for those who are terminally ill.

Learn more about the National Center 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. Based on this commitment, we are pleased to provide you with support and information as you face the difficult challenges ahead.

Access resources for patients and families.

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.

In our Research Center you will find frequently asked questions, the history of the death with dignity movement, state monitoring statistics, and a copy of this groundbreaking statute.

Dive into the archives of the National Center.