AMA outraged over mandatory biker organ-donor bill

AMA ^ | jan 30 2003 | AMA

[KneelBeforeZod]

Jan. 30 – The AMA has expressed its outrage at a proposed law in New Mexico that could make some motorcyclists into forced organ donors. The proposal, introduced in the New Mexico Legislature by state Sen. Allen Hurt (R-Waterflow), would allow the harvesting of organs from any motorcyclist who doesn't wear a helmet and is declared brain dead as a result of an accident. Hurt's bill, designated Senate Bill 239, specifically states that: "a person operating a motorcycle without a helmet and who, as the result of an accident, is pronounced brain dead pursuant to Section 12-2-4 NMSA 1978 by a licensed physician shall become an organ donor regardless of whether the person made an anatomical gift by completing the organ donor statement…"

If the bill becomes law, it would take effect on July 1.

The AMA, which represents more than 250,000 motorcyclists across the country, said that Hurt's proposal represents a new low in the relationship between anti-motorcycling government officials and riders

"Organ donation is a noble cause that truly can represent the gift of life for people faced with some terminal illnesses," noted Sean Maher, AMA director of state affairs. "But making the commitment to become an organ donor must remain a private decision left to each person. "Classifying an entire group of citizens as nothing more than organs to be harvested isn't just demeaning to motorcyclists, it's offensive to all Americans," he said.

The AMA is organizing opposition to the Hurt proposal. New Mexico motorcyclists can help by going to the StateWatch section of the AMA Rapid Response Center. There, they can send letters of protest to their state lawmakers.

[KneelBeforeZod]

update...

Victory in New Mexico!
Feb. 3 – New Mexico state Sen. Allen Hurt (R-Waterflow) has informed the AMA that he will withdraw Senate Bill 239, which could have forced some motorcyclists to become organ donors.

AMA leadership learned of Sen. Hurt's intentions this afternoon in a message which read, in part: "You win ... I'm pulling New Mexico SB 239."

Late last Thursday, the AMA had expressed its outrage at SB 239, which, if it had passed, would have allowed the harvesting of organs from any motorcyclist who didn't wear a helmet and was declared brain dead as a result of an accident.

"This victory demonstrates how powerful our voice can be when American motorcyclists speak together," said Sean Maher, AMA Director of State Affairs. "When New Mexico state officials received more than 1,100 e-mails opposing SB 239, they got the message, and Sen. Hurt acted quickly to withdraw his proposal."

The AMA organized opposition to the bill, urging motorcyclists to use the AMA Rapid Response Center—part of the Association's website, AMADirectlink.com—to send a message to Hurt and the New Mexico Legislature's leadership.

© 2003, American Motorcyclist Association

[AdamSelene235]

Bozos.....yes I am a biker and a donor.

[AdamSelene235]

Mandatory sterilization for politicians!!

[Tijeras_Slim]

This guy was on the local talk station 770. He is a comlete idiot, and couldn't defend his bill against questions from either the host or the callers. If being brain dead is what it takes, he's first in line.

Shoei RF 700, Aerostich Roadcrafter, and I'm a donor too, but that's MY choice and MY business.

[AdamSelene235]

Ride fast !! Leave no usable organs.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Unleash the Hooligan Biker Ping List!

[MoralSense]

Geez, and the guy's a Republican, too. Usually, these specific punishment kind of laws are crafted by Dems.

That being said, I'm getting a kidney transplant in two days. 20% of people waiting for kidney transplants die every year, and the average wait is between 3 and 5 years. I support the automatic presumption of organ donation for everybody. Then, instead of putting an "I do" sticker on your license, you'd have the option of an "I don't" sticker.

Belgium and Spain do this, and have no need of live donors for kidneys, and have no waiting list for transplants.

(N.B. I've been a motorcyclist, too.)

[per loin]

The immediate harvesting of "brains" from legislators proposig asinine laws would be more appropriate. Much knowledge of mental disturbance could be gathered from close study of such brains.

[per loin]

A grabby atitude like that is likely to turn decent folk away from donations altogether. No one has a right to another's organs. They are gifts, given or not at the doner's pleasure.

[AdamSelene235]

. I support the automatic presumption of organ donation for everybody. Then, instead of putting an "I do" sticker on your license, you'd have the option of an "I don't" sticker.

Tricky property rights question. Of course, once I'm dead, I assume my self-ownership has expired. I could see some families getting awfully touchy about it.

[LibWhacker]

This guy might as well become a democrat; he sure thinks like one.

[Arkie2]

I sympathize with you but disagree. It's my body and I want all of it to go with me. I don't want an automatic presumption on the part of some doctor that he can harvest my organs at will if he can't find my "please leave me alone" card in the mangled wreck. Sorry, I just want to go out with what I came in with.

[Jhoffa_]

This is what I hate about the Republicans.

When they get away from the Constitution and basic right and wrong they become just as tyranical as any democrat who ever rolled down the pike.

Once they're off the plantation, there's no difference between these two groups who never met a civil liberty they liked or a person or group who didn't need to be "controlled" somehow.

I hope the voters remember this idiot come election time and toss him by the wayside.

[observer5]

Not until Dr. Frankenstein is done with you...

[G Larry]

But what about braindead politicians?
Hearts good! Never been used!
Lungs good! Blowhard exercise!
Eyes good! Never used vision potential!

[Tijeras_Slim]

But what about braindead politicians?

The good news is that we found you a liver...
The bad news is that it's Teddy K's.

[HighRoadToChina]

BFL

[Shooter 2.5]

And they're already brain dead so there's no waiting!