Politics
Terminally ill patients could be offered end-of-life medications
Terminally ill Floridians could be given additional options to end their lives after a new measure was filed Friday.
The bill (HB 471) was filed by Boynton Beach Democrat Rep. Joe Casello and would be titled the “Florida End-of-Life Option Act” which would give terminally ill patients autonomy over their end-of-life choices.
It emphasizes the fundamental right of self-determination for adults with terminal illnesses who are still fully mentally capable of making an informed, voluntary decision. Patients must be over the age of 18, Florida residents, and diagnosed with a terminal illness that would end their life within six months.
To be eligible, patients would have to submit two oral requests and one written request — which would include a non-relative witness signature — for medication to end their life. The bill would further allow for a waiting period, and the patient would be able to rescind their request at any time.
Attending qualified physicians would be required to verify a patient’s terminal condition, inform them of their options and, if needed, refer the patient to a consulting physician and mental health professional. Consulting physicians would need to confirm a diagnosis, the patient’s mental capacity, and confirm the decision is a voluntary action.
Health care providers would report to the Department of Health under strict documentation, reporting and recordkeeping guidelines. The department would then publish an annual aggregated report.
Any unused medications would be required to be disposed of properly, and death certificates for patients who die by self-administration of prescribed medication must list the underlying terminal condition as the cause of death.
Those acting in good faith and not participating in prohibited actions would be granted immunities. However, the bill would not restrict any further liability for civil damages that result from negligent conduct or intentional misconduct by any person.
Health care providers and facilities would be able to prohibit participation in the act on their premises, but they must inform both their employees and patients before doing so. Furthermore, providers who participate in the act off-premises or outside of their employment scope cannot be sanctioned.
Under the act, insurance companies would be prohibited from any clauses within a patient’s insurance contract that affects decisions a patient could make about using end-of-life medications. Insurers would further be prohibited from denying benefits or discriminate based on the availability of the medication.
The bill points out that the act does not authorize a physician or any other person to end a patient’s life by lethal injection, mercy killing or active euthanasia.
Criminal penalties would apply if any person willfully altered or forges a request for medication or conceals or destroys a recission of the request with the intent or effect of causing the patient’s death. Coercion or influence of a patient to take the end-of-life medication also carries criminal penalties.
These actions would be considered a first-degree felony under Florida statutes and could come with a potential prison sentence of up to 30 years.
If passed, the act will come into effect July 1, 2025.
Post Views: 0
Politics
There’s a new Sheriff in town, but he can’t do much to reshape his agency. Lawmakers hope to change that
Citrus County Sheriff Dave Vincent came in hamstrung when he took office in January.
Vincent’s plans to reorganize the agency were met immediately by a little-known state law specific to Citrus County that protects employees during a new sheriff’s transition.
House Bill 629, added to Statute in 2001, says the new Citrus County Sheriff must keep the same staff for six months, can’t reduce anyone’s salary by more than 6%, and can’t drop a commander or captain by more than one rank.
Vincent’s predecessor, Mike Prendergast, had issued about a dozen promotions in the weeks following his Primary loss to Vincent.
That should no longer be an issue following this year’s Session.
The Citrus County Legislative Delegation — Sen. Blaise Ingoglia and Rep. JJ Grow — agreed Friday to file a local bill that would repeal HB 629.
“It was very obvious the bill was outdated,” Grow, an Inverness Republican, said.
Vincent said laws are already on the books with protections for sheriff’s employees. He said repealing the Citrus County law won’t help his transition, but it will remove restrictions for future sheriffs.
“I’m looking out for the next man or woman who takes my position,” he said.
Friday’s Legislative Delegation was the first for Grow, who was elected in November in House District 23.
Ingoglia, a Spring Hill Republican, chaired the meeting. Other highlights:
— Ingoglia said he and Grow will file a bill calling for military veterans with 100% disability to no longer pay tolls. “We hope this is a slam dunk,” he said.
— Grow said he supported the City of Inverness’ $2 million request for an RV campground at Whispering Pines Park to generate revenue. “Makes a lot of sense,” he said.
— Melissa Bowermaster, executive director of Jessie’s Place Child Advocacy Center, requested $150,000 for designing an expansion. Ingoglia not only supported the request, he suggested he may ask for more.
— LifeStream Behavioral Center sought $2 million toward construction of a 60-bed behavioral services campus in Lecanto. Citrus and Hernando counties combined have pledged $4 million, the Legislature previously awarded $2 million, and LifeStream is covering the rest of the estimated $16 million project.
— Citrus County YMCA, which opened its doors in Lecanto in 2016 after an $8.3 million local capital campaign, is seeking $1.2 million to complete an expansion.
— Ingoglia said he would be requesting $350,000 for the Crystal Memorial Gardens restoration project. Crystal Memorial Gardens is an historic African American cemetery just outside Crystal River. Ingoglia said he has support from the Florida Legislative Black Caucus.
Post Views: 0
Edmonds was captured by Nazi forces and refused an order to separate out Jewish American soldiers from other POWs.
U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz is behind bipartisan legislation to honor a World War II veteran whose heroics likely saved the lives of a few hundred Jewish American soldiers.
Moskowitz is joining U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, a Tennessee Republican, to sponsor a bill posthumously awarding Roddie Edmonds the prestigious Congressional Gold Medal.
Edmonds is one of just five Americans honored by Yad Vashem as “Righteous Among the Nations.” That’s because Edmonds, after being captured by Nazi soldiers, refused to identify Jewish American soldiers within a prisoner-of-war camp, thus saving them from being targeted or even killed.
“During a period of darkness, hatred, and vile antisemitism, Roddie Edmonds showed unmatched bravery and solidarity,” Moskowitz said in a prepared statement announcing the legislation.
“His decision to stand by his fellow soldiers against the atrocities of Nazi Germany saved hundreds of Jewish American lives, and Congress can’t let that be forgotten. By honoring Roddie with this Congressional Gold Medal, we will stand with a humble American hero and ensure that his legacy of moral fortitude lives on.”
Edmonds was a master sergeant in the Army’s 422nd Infantry Regiment during his World War II service. He was captured in the Battle of the Bulge and was taken to the POW camp Stalag IX-A along with more than 1,000 Americans. Historians say it was there that the Nazis ordered Edmonds to disclose which soldiers were Jewish, even threatening him with death. But Edmonds refused.
It’s estimated that around 200 Jewish soldiers were in that POW camp along with Edmonds at the time.
Edmonds survived the war and passed away in 1985.
“Roddie Edmonds showed incredible bravery that should make every American proud,” Burchett said.
“He fearlessly faced down Nazi soldiers during World War II and saved hundreds of Jewish lives when he refused to turn in his fellow Jewish service members, even at gunpoint. This Congressional Gold Medal is a fitting way to honor his legacy.”
Post Views: 0
FOX Super Bowl LIX by the numbers
Hollywood Flocking to Super Bowl LIX, See List of Celebs Planning to Attend Game
Diddy Accusers’ Attorneys Blast Kanye West After He Demands Diddy’s Jail Release
-
Entertainment8 years agoThe final 6 ‘Game of Thrones’ episodes might feel like a full season
-
Entertainment8 years ago
Mod turns ‘Counter-Strike’ into a ‘Tekken’ clone with fighting chickens
-
Politics8 years ago
Congress rolls out ‘Better Deal,’ new economic agenda
-
Tech8 years ago
Hulu hires Google marketing veteran Kelly Campbell as CMO
-
Tech8 years ago
Microsoft Paint is finally dead, and the world Is a better place
-
Tech8 years ago
Ford’s 2018 Mustang GT can do 0-to-60 mph in under 4 seconds
-
Politics8 years ago
Illinois’ financial crisis could bring the state to a halt
-
Tech8 years ago
Mobile Google CEO Promises 11 Daydream-compatible phones