January 17, 2016 Hemlock Society Meeting
Speakers:
Robb Miller, End of Life Washington Executive Director for 15 years
Stefanie Elkins, Medical Outreach Director Compassion & Choices
Washington State’s Death with Dignity Law and how it works was discussed with Robb Miller, former Executive Director of End of Life Washington (formerly Compassion and Choices) and Stefanie Elkins, California Medical Outreach Director.
The California End of Life Option Act is similar to the Washington law, but there are some differences. Under both laws, a diagnosis of 6 months or less to live is a requirement for eligibility, leaving many people unable to take advantage of this law.
Many people with terminal illnesses wait until they are in hospice and quite near the end of their lives before discussing aid in dying with their physician. Because of the legal built-in required waiting periods between requests for aid-in-dying, many people do not allow enough time to complete the process to obtain life-ending medication. For those interested in this option, it is recommended to start the process as soon as a terminal diagnosis is received. You are not required to take the medication, you can change your mind at any time. Having the medication gives many people peace of mind.
All aid in dying laws require the patient to self-administer the life ending medication and require a defined legal process. A physician is required. Physicians (and institutions) are permitted to opt-out of the process if they desire; finding resources can be problematic. As Robb succinctly pointed out, euthanasia (where someone delivers life ending medication TO you) is only available in the United States for those who don’t want it – those sentenced to capital punishment. Robb also notes that since Washington’s law passed in 1998, there has not been one instance of coercion reported, but many people have been coerced into staying alive.