Bill to extend state’s ‘death with dignity’ law passes, moves on to governor

Photo courtesy of University of Washington California s medical-aid-in-dying law set to expire in may be extended if Gov Gavin Newsom signs a bill from state Sen Catherine Blakespear into law SB passed in the state Senate and was forwarded to the governor for his signature If signed it would remove the sunset clause and allow the law to remain in effect indefinitely California s End of Life Option Act in place since gives mentally capable terminally ill adults with a prognosis of six months or less to live the option to request from their expert a prescription for medication they can decide to self-administer to die peacefully in their sleep I have heard from so several people who want the option to use California s medical-aid-in-dying law if necessary revealed Blakespear D-Encinitas SB continues the End of Life Option Act so that Californians faced with debilitating terminal illnesses can avoid unnecessary pain and suffering at the end of their lives if they choose to This is a deeply personal decision that every individual should have the authority and right to make The law requires a specialist to determine that the person has the threshold to make informed medicinal decisions and is not being coerced that they be informed of alternative options such as palliative care that they can change their mind at any time and that the evaluation and prognosis must be endorsed by a second physician The person must directly make two oral requests at least hours apart and submit a written request witnessed by two adults In people received an aid-in-dying prescription and took the medication and died according to Blakespear More than were age or older and almost were receiving hospice or palliative care Eleven other states have similar laws The looming sunset has worried patients advocates curative providers and faith leaders who rely on the law Blakespear reported