Connecticut
Advocates push Connecticut lawmakers for ‘aid in dying’ legislation
A group of advocates is pushing to make Connecticut the next state to allow the practice of aid-in-dying, also known as medical assistance in dying, but they may already be running out of time this session.
The push comes as New York became the 13th state to allow aid-in-dying after Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a bill into law late last week.
A coalition called Compassion and Choices has been airing short films around the state, followed by discussions on the topic, in hopes of winning over more support.
Advocate Deltra James is a regular panelist, talking about her experience coaching people preparing for the end of their life as a death doula.
“What I see often is not so much a fear of the act of dying, but it’s a lot of fear around suffering and how they might die,” James said.
She said she sometimes helps healthy people with estate planning, but other clients are looking for support in their final days.
Deltra was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019 and was initially given just three years to live.
After her diagnosis, she decided to become an advocate for others and discovered being a doula.
She’s among the advocates hoping to see the legislature revisit the issue. Lawmakers have tried and failed several times to allow aid-in-dying before pausing for the last few years.
Sen. Gary Winfield (D-New Haven) supports the idea but isn’t sure the legislature will have enough time.
The co-chair of the Judiciary Committee noted the body will need to take up several judicial nominations. He also expects possible bills on hot-button issues like gun control and immigration.
“The number of days is short, and as much as I’m interested in the issue, I don’t know that we’ll have the actual time for it,” he said.
Some critics remain staunchly opposed.
“It doesn’t speak well for us as a society, we should be respecting life, we should be protecting life,” Connecticut Catholic Public Affairs Conference Executive Director Chris Healy said.
Healy remains opposed on moral grounds, but he raised concerns about Canada’s experience with medical assistance in death.
Health Canada reported just 1,018 deaths in 2016, when it was first legal, but a November report said there were 16,499 deaths in 2024. That accounts for roughly 1 in 20 deaths.
Media reports indicate most of the deaths were for patients with a terminal diagnosis, but some patients cited depression or mental health issues as their reason.
“In the goodness of our hearts, we shouldn’t be turning into this, sort of, cruel culture of death that infects our society today,” Healy said.
James and others note that past proposals in Connecticut have included strict restrictions, such as requiring that someone be a Connecticut resident, at least 21 years old, and have a prognosis of six months or less to live.
James also said people are free to live according to their moral beliefs, but she does not think that should be the basis for laws limiting other people’s choices.
“It’s deeply uncomfortable that somebody else is comfortable with my suffering, or with other people’s suffering,” she said.
Connecticut
Florida High School State Bronze Medalist Dajah German Verbals To Connecticut For Fall 2027
Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.
Florida high school state bronze medalist Dajah German has announced her verbal commitment to swim and study at the University of Connecticut beginning in the fall of 2027. She publicized the news on SwimCloud, writing:
I am so excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of Connecticut! I’m incredibly grateful for everyone who has supported me throughout this journey, my family, coaches, teammates, and friends who have pushed me to be my best throughout the years. And a very special thank you to Coach Chris and Coach Nicole for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. I’m so excited for what’s ahead. GO HUSKIES!
A rising senior at Fort Lauderdale High School in Florida, German trains year-round with Swim Fort Lauderdale and primarily specializes in the sprint and middle-distance freestyle events.
German has improved each year of her high school career, most recently dropping from 23.78, 51.39, and 1:50.56 in the 50/100/200 free to 23.54, 51.35, and 1:49.69 during the 2025-26 short course season.
German’s top meet of the season was the Florida Senior Championships in March, where she recorded her current PBs in both the 50 and 200 free. She finished second in the 500 free (4:55.94) and 1650 free (17:02.78), third in both the 50 free and 200 free, and fifth in the 100 free (51.43). She set her current 100 free PB at a smaller holiday meet in December. In the 500 free, she clocked a season-best 4:55.21 at the Speedo Cup in January, with her lifetime best of 4:53.19 coming at the 2025 Florida Senior Championships.
German has qualified for the FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) State Championships for the past three years, with her top performance coming at the 2025 iteration in November. She placed third in the 50 free (23.96), fifth in the 500 free (5:01.12), and helped Fort Lauderdale to fourth place in both the 200 free relay (24.64 leadoff) and 400 free relay (53.08 anchor).
Top SCY Times:
- 50 Freestyle: 23.54
- 100 Freestyle: 51.35
- 200 Freestyle: 1:49.69
- 500 Freestyle: 4:53.19
A Division I Mid-Major program, Connecticut competes in the Big East, with the women’s team placing second out of seven teams at this past season’s conference championships. German’s current lifetime bests would have placed third in the 200 free, fourth in the 500 free, eighth in the 50 free, and ninth in the 100 free, setting her up as an immediate contributor with two full seasons of training still ahead before her first conference meet.
German joins Anna Mumford, Lyla Devlin, Lena Brown, and Louisa Holda in committing to the Huskies’ class of 2031 so far.
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].
About the Fitter and Faster Swim Tour
Fitter & Faster Swim Camps feature the most innovative teaching platforms for competitive swimmers of all levels. Camps are produced year-round throughout the USA and Canada. All camps are led by elite swimmers and coaches. Visit fitterandfaster.com to find or request a swim camp near you.
FFT SOCIAL
Instagram – @fitterandfasterswimtour
Facebook – @fitterandfastertour
Twitter – @fitterandfaster
FFT is a SwimSwam partner.
Here are the forecast details for northern Connecticut via the National Weather Service:
Today: Sunny, with a high near 80. Light west wind increasing to 6 to 11 mph in the morning.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. Northwest wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: A chance of showers before 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2pm and 4pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 4pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 76. Calm wind becoming southeast around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Monday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 59. Southeast wind around 8 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
-
Politics4 minutes agoSupreme Court says ex-LAPD officer may be sued for excessive force in street shooting
-
Sports11 minutes agoRams QB Ty Simpson embracing an unusual bedtime routine to spur his development
-
World22 minutes agoLebanon Latest: Israeli attacks surge despite ceasefire efforts
-
News49 minutes agoSupreme Court allows a ruling that ends a tool to protect minority voters in 7 states
-
New York2 hours agoHow a Security Guard Lives on $46,000 a Year in the East Bronx
-
Los Angeles, Ca2 hours agoL.A. Tenants Union trying to save business owner given eviction notice ‘without reason or discussion’
-
Detroit, MI2 hours agoGrace Hanke crowned Miss Michigan 2026
-
San Francisco, CA3 hours agoThe U.S. Government Secretly Tested Biological Weapons. The Citizens of San Francisco Paid the Price.
