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Brittany Maynard posthumously calls for Californian 'death with dignity' law Brittany Maynard posthumously calls for Californian 'death with dignity' law
(about 1 hour later)
Brittany Maynard, a 29-year-old woman with terminal cancer who moved from California to Oregon so that she could die on her own terms, is posthumously calling on lawmakers in her home state to pass a “death with dignity” bill.Brittany Maynard, a 29-year-old woman with terminal cancer who moved from California to Oregon so that she could die on her own terms, is posthumously calling on lawmakers in her home state to pass a “death with dignity” bill.
Before Maynard legally ended her life on 1 November under Oregon’s “death with dignity” law, she publicised her case in the hope that her story would lead to political action in California and across the US. Her campaign has garnered worldwide attention and galvanised a near-dormant debate over the right of terminally ill Americans to end their lives.Before Maynard legally ended her life on 1 November under Oregon’s “death with dignity” law, she publicised her case in the hope that her story would lead to political action in California and across the US. Her campaign has garnered worldwide attention and galvanised a near-dormant debate over the right of terminally ill Americans to end their lives.
“No one should have to leave their home and community for peace of mind to escape suffering and to plan for a gentle death,” Maynard said in a video recorded by her family 19 days before her death.“No one should have to leave their home and community for peace of mind to escape suffering and to plan for a gentle death,” Maynard said in a video recorded by her family 19 days before her death.
The video was released on Wednesday ahead of a Senate health committee hearing on California’s End of Life Option Act, which would allow physicians to prescribe fatal drugs to terminally ill patients in the state.The video was released on Wednesday ahead of a Senate health committee hearing on California’s End of Life Option Act, which would allow physicians to prescribe fatal drugs to terminally ill patients in the state.
“Unfortunately, California law prevented me from getting the end-of-life option I deserved,’’ Maynard says in the video.“Unfortunately, California law prevented me from getting the end-of-life option I deserved,’’ Maynard says in the video.
Under the proposal, two California physicians must first determine that a patient has six months or less to live and is mentally competent. Doctors would be required to discuss palliative-care options, as well as other non-lethal means of easing the pain with the patient before prescribing life-ending drugs.Under the proposal, two California physicians must first determine that a patient has six months or less to live and is mentally competent. Doctors would be required to discuss palliative-care options, as well as other non-lethal means of easing the pain with the patient before prescribing life-ending drugs.
Once the drugs are prescribed, the patient would still be able to choose when – if ever – to take them. Those who decide to end their lives would be required to administer the drugs without assistance.Once the drugs are prescribed, the patient would still be able to choose when – if ever – to take them. Those who decide to end their lives would be required to administer the drugs without assistance.
The bill is expected to face strong opposition from religious groups, especially the Catholic church, which has already spoke out against the proposal, and from members of the medical community who are concerned about the consequences of allowing doctors to prescribe fatal drugs.The bill is expected to face strong opposition from religious groups, especially the Catholic church, which has already spoke out against the proposal, and from members of the medical community who are concerned about the consequences of allowing doctors to prescribe fatal drugs.
At a press conference on Wednesday to release the video, Maynard’s widower, Dan Diaz, and her mother, Deborah Ziegler, joined state lawmakers in Sacramento to encourage lawmakers to pass the legislation. At a press conference on Wednesday, Maynard’s widower, Dan Diaz, and her mother, Deborah Ziegler, joined state lawmakers in Sacramento to encourage lawmakers to pass the legislation.
“My daughter wanted more than anything to live. She was full of love, and zest, and energy for life … It became painfully evident that there are some terminal illnesses where only death can release a loved one from agony,” Ziegler said.“My daughter wanted more than anything to live. She was full of love, and zest, and energy for life … It became painfully evident that there are some terminal illnesses where only death can release a loved one from agony,” Ziegler said.
She said Maynard would have prefered to die surrounded by family and friends in California, but was forced to take the costly and burdensome decision to relocate to Oregon, which required having to establish residency and find a new team of doctors, so she could die in peace. She said Maynard would have prefered to die surrounded by family and friends in California, but was forced to make the costly and burdensome decision to relocate to Oregon, which required having to establish residency and find a new team of doctors.
Ziegler said: “My instinct was to keep her alive; keep looking for answers; keep hoping for miracles. But there is a thin line between hope and denial.”Ziegler said: “My instinct was to keep her alive; keep looking for answers; keep hoping for miracles. But there is a thin line between hope and denial.”
The California bill is modelled on Oregon’s “death with dignity” law, which was approved by voters in 1994, making it the first state in the US – and one of the first jurisdictions in the world – to authorise such a law.The California bill is modelled on Oregon’s “death with dignity” law, which was approved by voters in 1994, making it the first state in the US – and one of the first jurisdictions in the world – to authorise such a law.
Before her death, Maynard partnered with the advocacy group Compassion and Choices, which created the Brittany Maynard Fund to help support right-to-die campaigns around the country. According to the group, at least 25 other states in addition to California have considered bills that would authorise alternative options to those with a terminal illness. The group says supporters of these initiatives were galvanised by Maynard’s story.Before her death, Maynard partnered with the advocacy group Compassion and Choices, which created the Brittany Maynard Fund to help support right-to-die campaigns around the country. According to the group, at least 25 other states in addition to California have considered bills that would authorise alternative options to those with a terminal illness. The group says supporters of these initiatives were galvanised by Maynard’s story.
“Every one of us will die,” Maynard said in the video. “We should not have to suffer excruciating pain, shame, or a prolonged dying process.”“Every one of us will die,” Maynard said in the video. “We should not have to suffer excruciating pain, shame, or a prolonged dying process.”