Support Legislation for Patient-Requested Halt of Court Orders for Shock Therapy
Support Legislation for Patient-Requested Halt of Court Orders for Shock Therapy
The Issue
As someone who was subjected to it by court order, violated and traumatized by it, I stand as a living testament to the need to protect patients from the abusive use of shock therapy, which is also known as electroconvulsive therapy or ECT. This struggle is not merely personal; it echoes the deeply resonating cries of patients everywhere who are fighting to reclaim their autonomy in medical treatments.
A copy of my written testimony for the Connecticut bill Raised H.B. No. 6837, which discusses the need for greater oversight and patient protections regarding ECT, was published here:
https://www.madinamerica.com/2025/02/ect-legislation/
Countless others share this disturbing narrative – we must not let it continue. Reason magazine recently published an article by Michael Simonson detailing the case of a Minnesota man subjected to court-ordered ECT against his will. The article also references similar cases in Connecticut, underscoring the importance of reviewing existing policies and ensuring that patients’ rights are safeguarded. You can find the article here:
Informed consent must be a foundation of our healthcare system. That's why I support legislation like that introduced by Connecticut State Representative Roland Lemar, Proposed H.B. No. 6167, An act requiring the stay of execution of a probate court order authorizing the administration of shock therapy. The bill status page is here:
https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/CGABillStatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB6167
Bills granting an automatic stay of execution of a probate court order for ECT when a patient requests it would protect the rights of patients and prevent unnecessary harm in mental healthcare.
Bill No. 6167 presents an opportunity to enhance protections for individuals facing involuntary medical treatment, and I encourage more legislators to support this type of legislation. Given the seriousness of ECT and its potential long-term harmful effects, I believe it is important to ensure that patients’ rights, informed consent, and appropriate safeguards are central to any policies governing its use.
683
The Issue
As someone who was subjected to it by court order, violated and traumatized by it, I stand as a living testament to the need to protect patients from the abusive use of shock therapy, which is also known as electroconvulsive therapy or ECT. This struggle is not merely personal; it echoes the deeply resonating cries of patients everywhere who are fighting to reclaim their autonomy in medical treatments.
A copy of my written testimony for the Connecticut bill Raised H.B. No. 6837, which discusses the need for greater oversight and patient protections regarding ECT, was published here:
https://www.madinamerica.com/2025/02/ect-legislation/
Countless others share this disturbing narrative – we must not let it continue. Reason magazine recently published an article by Michael Simonson detailing the case of a Minnesota man subjected to court-ordered ECT against his will. The article also references similar cases in Connecticut, underscoring the importance of reviewing existing policies and ensuring that patients’ rights are safeguarded. You can find the article here:
Informed consent must be a foundation of our healthcare system. That's why I support legislation like that introduced by Connecticut State Representative Roland Lemar, Proposed H.B. No. 6167, An act requiring the stay of execution of a probate court order authorizing the administration of shock therapy. The bill status page is here:
https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/CGABillStatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB6167
Bills granting an automatic stay of execution of a probate court order for ECT when a patient requests it would protect the rights of patients and prevent unnecessary harm in mental healthcare.
Bill No. 6167 presents an opportunity to enhance protections for individuals facing involuntary medical treatment, and I encourage more legislators to support this type of legislation. Given the seriousness of ECT and its potential long-term harmful effects, I believe it is important to ensure that patients’ rights, informed consent, and appropriate safeguards are central to any policies governing its use.
683
Supporter Voices
Petition created on February 18, 2025