|
The Illinois End of Life Options Coalition is praising lawmakers
who have introduced legislation that would allow medical
aid-in-dying in Illinois. The group has emphasized that the
practice is called medical aid-in-dying and not assisted
suicide.
The End of Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act would
allow terminally ill adults to have the option to get
prescription medication to end their life.
“If they get a diagnostic exam from a doctor who tells them they
have less than six months to live, they have the option of
requesting a prescription that they can take themselves,” said
the bill’s sponsor, Senate Assistant Majority Leader Linda
Holmes, D-Aurora.
Holmes added that there are guardrails in place, including
getting a second opinion and if either doctor feels that the
person is not capable of making the decision, the person must
also see a mental health expert.
Ten states have authorized medical aid-in-dying, with 19 other
states considering similar measures this spring.
The Illinois End-of-Life Options Coalition said a recent poll
showed fewer than one in five Illinois voters (17%) oppose
medical aid-in-dying.
Jon Schweppe, policy director with the American Principles
Project, said states should not be offering the option.
“There’s a segment of people who see it as a fundamental
liberty, but ultimately as a culture we do have to make these
choices about who we want to be and I really think it puts folks
in a precarious situation,” Schweppe said.
The American Academy of Family Physicians has gone on record as
being neutral on the practice.
The national suicide and crisis line can be reached by dialing
988. They provide free and confidential support for people in
distress, along with prevention and crisis resources.
|
|
