I have just returned from Denver where I testified at the Senate and House Committee hearings regarding the End of Life Options (italics mine) bills. The debate is sadly divided along ideological lines with the opposition seemingly unable to hear the rebuttal to their arguments that this is "physician-assisted suicide" and a "slippery slope" toward abuse of the disenfranchised. They further allege that there is "no data" from Oregon, where the Death with Dignity Act has functioned beautifully for 17 years and is used by only a tiny minority (one third of one percent) of dying patients.
It has similarly functioned in Washington since 2009. Detailed reporting for both states is on their Department of Health websites.
Suicide and euthanasia are illegal in all 50 states and will remain so. The term "physician-assisted suicide" is deeply offensive to many physicians, insinuating that we are helping our patients kill themselves. The Aid in Dying option is a legal medical procedure in five states that allows alleviation of suffering for competent adult patients with a terminal diagnosis who are actively dying and are suffering greatly despite maximal hospice and palliative care efforts by their physicians.
These patients would choose to live if they could; they do not want to commit suicide. They simply want autonomy in death. The disabled community was well-represented at the hearings and voiced concern that they and other disenfranchised patients, including the elderly, will be abused by this bill.
The bill is for terminally ill, dying patients who choose to end their suffering before their terminal illness kills them. It is not for anyone, including the elderly or disabled, who is not dying.
In addition, simply having a prescription to use if necessary alleviates much anxiety for terminally ill patients. Roughly 35 percent of them never take the medication.
Finally, this is an option. If any physician or patient does not believe in it, they simply do not have to participate. Ideological opposition based on individual religious or other cultural values cannot be imposed on others in a democracy. Nor can the paternalism of physicians who think they know best for others.
Lauri Costello, MD
Durango
