"It has a lot of health implications, " says Flavier, a doctor and public health specialist.

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Cathy Ludlum, of Manchester, a disabled-rights activist who has spinal muscular atrophy, said she is concerned the Public Health Committee has decided to hold the public hearing and worries the issue of doctor-assisted suicide will not go away soon.

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Most people have extra private insurance to cover areas that are not eligible for reimbursement by the public health insurance system and many make out of pocket payments to see a doctor.

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Coalition members include faith leaders, the chief of the Newtown police department, public and private school principals, counselors, health care professionals including a school nurse and emergency room doctor, high school students and several other community members.

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"It has been a major public-health undertaking to make sure the devices are available, " says Raina Merchant, an emergency-medicine doctor at Penn who is spearheading the project.

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