Compassion in Dying         End of Life Choices
Next Chapter Meeting – 10:00am, Saturday, March 13th, West Senior Center, 9th and Arapahoe in Boulder (plenty of free parking) Legal Milestones in the Aid in Dying Movement Past Successes; Future Challenges. by Roland Halpern, National Office of Compassion & Choices   In 2009 two more states, Washington and Montana, legalized aid in dying; one through the voter initiative process, the other through a Supreme Court interpretation of the criminal statutes. Are these successes the harbinger of more victories to come, or will growing pressure for religious and right to life groups halt, or even overturn these victories? Join us for an in-depth look at what changed Washington and Montana, as well as what lies on the horizon. Also to be discussed is pending legislation in Colorado that would prevent unwanted resuscitation efforts for patients who are not in a hospital or institutional setting.  Roland Halpern was introduced to the aid in dying movement in 2002 when his social justice activities meshed with efforts to pass a law in the State of Hawaii. Since that time he has been active in a number of legislative and voter initiative campaigns aimed at improving end of life options for the terminally ill. Mr. Halpern works for the national office of Compassion & Choices where he handles community and chapter relations, works with students and researchers, and helps develop public education programs about the need to expand end of life options.