I had the privilege of joining fellow legislators and advocates from around the Commonwealth to launch the End of Life Options Act. The bill allows someone who is terminally ill to choose a dignified, peaceful death by requesting medication from a doctor that may be self-administered at a time of their own choosing, should suffering become unbearable.
Bev Baccelli and her partner Liz DiCarlo spoke about Bev’s struggle with bone marrow cancer and her passion for getting the bill passed this session.
Melissa Stacy, the lead advocate from Compassion & Choices, took attendees through the details of the bill. She explained that the proposed legislation sets up a completely optional process which patients can opt in to or opt out of at any point. Melissa also noted that the bill would protect a physician’s and pharmacist’s right to choose whether or not to participate in prescribing or dispensing medication.
She went on to detail the process by which a terminally-ill patient would qualify under the bill, emphasizing the number of steps one would go through before receiving medication. A report on the event is here.
I am grateful to be working side-by-side with House Leader Jim O’Day, Representative Ted Philips, Senators Su Moran and Will Brownsberger, and many cosponsors and supporters, to get this bill through the legislature this session. To learn more about what is included in the bill, please click here for a summary, or you can read the full bill here.
My team and I look forward to advocating for this bill as it makes its way through the legislative process. We encourage you to voice your thoughts on this legislation through the form here.
Onward.
