We all have a right to live or as Thomas Jefferson so aptly put it, the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. But what happens when illness strikes and our quality of life becomes compromised by pain and suffering that is often incurable?
The End-of-Life Option bill (SB 128), was introduced in California this past January. Patterned after Oregon’s Death with dignity laws, the legislation would allow mentally competent, terminally ill adults to request medication from their doctor to achieve a peaceful death if their suffering becomes unbearable. Although it was passed in the Senate, the bill was held back by a handful of legislators on the Assembly Health Committee a couple of weeks ago but is now up for reconsideration in a special legislative session as Bill AB2x-15. Compassion and Choices is the national grassroots organization working to pass this and similar legislation throughout the country. Continue reading
Martha Graham-Waldon 