Medical Aid in Dying: Legislative Update

Legislation to allow Medical Aid in Dying has been introduced in the MA legislature for 18 years, and while it has been legalized in 14 jurisdictions, it has not gone as far as a floor vote in this state.  It is currently in the Senate Ways and Means Committee and the legislature is only active until July 31. Please call your senator and urge them to contact leadership to advocate in support of the End of Life Options Act, S. 1486. Find your legislator HERE.

Medical Aid in Dying would allow a person with a prognosis of less than 6 months to be prescribed a medication that they could take when their quality of life is such that their suffering overcomes their desire to continue living, so they can ensure a peaceful death.

The bill includes multiple safeguards: two health care providers have to agree on the prognosis of less than six months; a mental health provider has to certify that the person is mentally competent; there is a waiting period and a requirement for both written and oral request; and, the person has to self ingest the medication. With over 40 year of cumulative experience in other jurisdictions, this option hasn’t had a single verified instance of abuse.