Discussion: California Appeals Court Reinstates Right-To-Die Law

"In previously discussing the law, the group’s executive director, Matt Valliere, said, “The people of California, especially the vulnerable, deserve protection and support, not assisted suicide.”

Their objection to assisted suicide is based in religious beliefs. That’s fine. Just like abortion, if your magical sky daddy doesn’t want you to have an abortion then by all means don’t get one. Same goes for assisted suicide. I am so tired of religious busy bodies sticking their pious nose in other people’s business, especially when said people do not share the religious beliefs that form opposition to such situations. Seriously, they need to mind their own fucking business. I wish they could run an add that says just that (Mind Your Own Fucking Business).

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If it only takes a few “free thinkers” to undermine the “faith” of those who profess religiosity, they don’t have much in way of faith. Also Belief ≠ Faith.

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I fervently hope one of these laws doesn’t get to the SCOTUS before a Democratic president has had the chance to replace a few of those “conservative” justices. I was my mom’s caregiver as cancer was killing her, and I’ll forever curse those who prevent our loved ones from making this choice. We don’t let our pets suffer like that.

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Good. This is civilized.

No we don’t. I know a number of doctors who agree with this completely.

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Committing “suicide” usually implies that a person no longer wants to live. Pisses me off when physician’s aid-in-dying is referred to as “assisted suicide”.

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If I were really evil, I would hope that everyone who tries to overturn these laws find themselves in a position to regret that when their time comes. But no, only they are that evil.

People deserve a choice.

Of the 143 DWDA deaths during 2017, most patients (80.4%) were aged 65 years or older. The median age at death was 74 years. As in previous years, decedents were commonly white (94.4%) and well educated (48.9% had a least a baccalaureate degree).

Patients’ underlying illnesses were similar to those of previous years. Most patients had cancer (76.9%), followed by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) (7.0%) and heart/ circulatory disease (6.3%). The majority of patients (90.2%) died at home, and most (90.9%) were enrolled in hospice care. Excluding unknown cases, most (99.1%) had some form of health care insurance. The percent of patients who had private insurance (31.3%) and Medicare or Medicaid insurance (67.8%) in 2017 was similar to last year (29.7% and 69.5%, respectively).

Similar to previous years, the three most frequently reported end-of-life concerns were decreasing ability to participate in activities that made life enjoyable (88.1%), loss of autonomy (87.4%), and loss of dignity (67.1%).

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“Patients Rights Action Fund”.

Yet another Orwellian title for an organization that is decidedly against free choice.

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Death With Dignity was something I was totally opposed to … verbally and online. Of course, this was before I hit this age of 72. And some years ago, I watched a Dutch video that follow three patients. It showed how they first got the permission (3 doctors and a medical panel as I remember) and then the cameras gently (and as non-intrusive as possible) stayed with each until the end. The one that suck with me was a lead violinist for the opera and orchestra. His disease would render him unable to play within a short time and kill him at some point further on. He picked the day - the meds were delivered. He was in his study/practice room with a recording of an opera where he’d actually played a violin solo. The documentary folks closed the door leaving us outside the room, hearing the opera from outside. I’ll admit it, I was sobbing. How wonderful to face the end on your own terms…your own time.

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I really think they should go back to the term “Death With Dignity” … because that’s exactly what it is …

As somebody that has been dealing with severe chronic pain since I was 27 I long ago realized there was a good chance at some point I would have to end my own life before I ended up losing my sanity and any desire to live so I am always heartened to see such laws progressing forward regardless of how it happens.

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And note how many people who receive the prescriptions don’t go through with it. For many, it’s just peace of mind in the end. If things get intolerable, they can choose the moment to go. They have that option, to make it quick and painless and keep it from being messy. It’s there if they need it. Often once they have it, they don’t need it, but it gives them relief from stress.

Nobody’s being forced to die like right-wingers try to claim. It’s just there as an option if folks choose it, and they can choose not to. Because people shouldn’t be forced to endure hopeless suffering.

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