July 2023

A Wrong & Inhumane Decision
By: Rana Goodman & Dan Roberts We appeared and provided testimony to both the Nevada Senate
F
and Assembly in support of SB 239. Whatever was needed we did
ortunately, expansion in palliative
over the past seven months.
care services and continued
We held our collective breath as both the Senate and Assembly (after
improvements in advanced pain
failing the previous three legislative sessions) passed the required
management make the end-of-life
legislation. We even went to the Governor’s office in Las Vegas to handdeliver
all remaining petitions three days before the Governor’s actions.
provisions in SB 239 unnecessary. - Gov. Joe Lombardo.
To say that we are disappointed, saddened and troubled by the
And then the Governor vetoed it. Read over the entire message (see
Governor’s veto of our Final Wishes petition drive would be an
below) from the Governor as to his
understatement.
reasons. You agree? We do not.
We’re sure many of you have
One more thing. Las Vegas
lost friends, neighbors and loved
Review Journal columnist Victor
ones who suffered with devastating
Joecks in his June 7
illnesses, only to finally die in
th article
terrible pain. Like countless other
supporting the governor for such
loved ones, we wished and prayed
veto wrote the following:
that the suffering would end and
“Those who have the courage
to let them “go” in peace.
to endure pain deserve praise for
The Vegas Voice was committed
the example they set for everyone
to do whatever was necessary
else.”
to convince our Nevada elected
Apparently neither the governor
officials to do what 10 other states
or Mr. Joecks ever lost a loved one
have in place – a way for people
or a cherished friend to one of
suffering from terminal illnesses
the many terminal illnesses that
to consult with their doctor
ravage the body and life of those
regarding the right to make “end
suffering.
of life” decisions.
If it is considered “humane”
And when The Vegas Voice started its petition drive for such Deathwith-Dignity
legislation, besides the petitions, readers sent us numerous
to “put our pet down” why would
we allow our loved ones to endure constant pain during their final
notes setting forth their heart-broken and tragic life-ending tales.
days? Instead of admiring them for their “courage” wouldn’t you do
Our efforts were rewarded when we collected a total of 1,647 petitions
anything to end their agony? Especially if that would be their “Final
from Vegas Voice readers. Working with two national Death with
Wish?”
Dignity organizations and forming the Nevada End of Life Coalition,
We don’t understand such reasoning.
we submitted
In our opinion, and for those who have watched their loved ones
2,674 petitions
suffer such a painful exit from life, the government should not have the
from Nevada
right to dictate how we leave this world. It is a very personal decision
residents.
and one that “We The People” should be able to make for ourselves.
Governor Lombardo, you made a wrong and inhumane decision.
Governor’s Veto Message
Vegas Voice Editorial
Governor Joe Lombardo in vetoing the Final Wishes/Death-with Dignity
bill passed by both the Nevada Senate and Assembly wrote as follows:
SB 239 allows for physician assisted suicide in the State of Nevada. End of life decisions
are never easy. Individuals and family members must often come together to face many
challenges – including deciding what is the best course of medical treatment for a loved
one. Fortunately, expansion in palliative care services and continued improvements in
advanced pain management make the end-of-life provisions in SB 239 unnecessary.
Given recent progress in science and medicine and the fact that only a small number
and jurisdictions allow for similar end-of-life protocols, I am not comfortable supporting
this bill.
For these reasons, I veto the bill and return it without signature or approval.
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July 2023