Great News for the Terminally ill

      Governor Brown signed the End of Life Option Act today which authorizes “an adult who meets certain qualifications, and who has been determined by his or her attending physician to be suffering from a terminal disease, as defined, to make a request for a drug prescribed …. for the purpose of ending his or her life.” 

The full text can be found: here

Governor’s signing message can be found: here


It says:

OCT 5 2015To the Members of the California State Assembly:
ABx2 15 is not an ordinary bill because it deals with life and death. The crux of the matter is whether the State of California should continue to make it a crime for a dying person to end his life, no matter how great his pain or suffering.

 
I have carefully read the thoughtful opposition materials presented by a number ofdoctors, religious leaders and those who champion disability rights. I have considered the theological and religious perspectives that any deliberate shortening of one’s life is sinful.


I have also read the letters of those who support the bill, including heartfelt pleas from Brittany Maynard’s family and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. In addition, I have discussed this matter with a Catholic Bishop, two of my own doctors and former classmates and friends who take varied, contradictory and nuanced positions.


In the end, I was left to reflect on what I would want in the face of my own death.I do not know what I would do if I were dying in prolonged and excruciating pain. I am certain, however, that it would be a comfort to be able to consider the options afforded by this bill . And I wouldn’t deny that right to others.


Sincerely, 


Edmund G. Brown, Jr.



Elizabeth

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