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Death and Dignity Law in California
Instead of suffering a protracted and painful death, death with dignity law allows terminally ill patients to end their lives peacefully by applying prescribed medication. In 2015, death and dignity bill was passed by the California legislature during a special health care session, and the bill was referred to as the California End of Life Option Act. The act took effect in June 2016 after being signed in October 2015 by Governor Jerry Brown. According to 2018 statistics, 452 people received prescriptions under death and dignity act, but 337 people used the act to die (Harman et al., 907).
There are various qualifications needed for a patient to receive medical prescription under the act in California. These include:
- A person must be above 18 years.
- A person must be a resident of California.
- The person must demonstrate the mental capability of making as well as communicating health care decisions.
- The patient must be terminally ill; that is, the type of diseases that usually lead to death within six months (Harman et al., 907).
After meeting the above requirements, the patients will receive prescription only if:
- The patient makes two requests to the health care provider, usually verbal, and 15 days apart or more.
- The patient must also issue a written request to the doctor, witnessed by two qualified individuals.
- The prescribing doctor, as well as another doctor, must confirm the diagnosis and prognosis of the patient.
- The two doctors must also confirm that the patient is mentally capable of making health care decisions.
- If the doctors feel that the decision is impaired, a psychological examination is also done on the patient.
- The doctors also ensure that the patient is not unduly influenced by others to make such decisions.
- The doctors will then issue alternative medications to the patient, such as care to relieve pain and make the patient comfortable.
- The doctors also direct the patient to notify their next of kin about the request.
- Before granting the prescription, the doctor will allow the patient to withdraw the request (Harman et al., 908).
I agree with death and dignity law because I believe that it is appropriate for the terminally ill patients who face suffering and pain daily. For such people, death and dignity law will relieve them from their pain and suffering and help them die peacefully.
Work Cited
Harman, Stephanie M., and David Magnus. “Early experience with the California End of Life Option Act: balancing institutional participation and physician conscientious objection.” JAMA internal medicine, 177.7 (2017): 907-908.