New Book Shows Need For Death With Dignity Laws

Main Category: Palliative Care / Hospice Care
Article Date: 04 Feb 2009 - 2:00 PDT

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A new book, The Last Goodnights, by John West, highlights the primitive and cruel state of public policy on end of life choices in most states. Mr. West helped his parents die, at their request. A family member should not have to act in secrecy, uncertainty and isolation to honor the rational wish of his loved one.

Compassion & Choices is a national organization serving patients and their families, advocating for end of life choices, and educating the public. Our experts are available for interviews.

"Society must address the need for expanded end of life choice," said Compassion & Choices President Barbara Coombs Lee. "No family member should have to risk prosecution, as Mr. West has. Aid in dying should be the final option on a continuum of legal medical decisions. Failing to legalize and regulate aid in dying only encourages an unsafe, underground practice. State legislatures should step up to their responsibility and meet the needs of their citizens. This family's difficult situation arises directly from California's failure to enact a Death with Dignity law."

"As a wealthy, resourceful lawyer Mr. West was able to obtain potent medication and help his parents die well. Most families are not so lucky, and the law in 47 states discriminates against them. Legalization offers equal access and the protection of skilled clinicians and an open procedure. Only an open, transparent and legal practice gives people the equal opportunity to explore all options and die on their own terms," said Lee.

Since 1993 Compassion & Choices has helped mentally competent, terminally ill individuals determine their end of life options, including an intentional, peaceful death. Aid in dying is legal in Oregon and Washington under the Death with Dignity Act, and in Montana under a recent court decision. All other states have "underground" aid in dying, which research confirms is 4 times as prevalent as legal aid in dying, where that option is available.

For more information please visit http://www.compassionandchoices.org

Compassion & Choices is a nonprofit organization working to improve care and expand choice at the end of life. As a national organization with over 60 local groups and 30,000 members, we help patients and their loved ones face the end of life with calm facts and choices of action during a difficult time. We also aggressively pursue legal reform to promote pain care, put teeth in advance directives and legalize physician aid in dying.

Compassion & Choices