The first hearing on a bill that would allow terminally ill adults in Illinois to get medical assistance in dying was conducted by state lawmakers on Friday. This is a political discussion that is also occurring in a number of other states.
Those opposed to the bill worry that there are insufficient protections, while lawmakers who supported it stated that it is all about choice for anyone facing a terminal condition.
“Losing somebody is tough. Watching someone you love have to suffer is worse,” Sen. Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) stated.
Holmes used her personal experience of losing both of her parents to unrelated terminal diseases to start Friday’s first hearing on the medical aid in dying bill.
She described the obvious anguish as “devastating.”
If approved, the law would give terminally ill persons who are mentally competent and have six months or less to live the option to ask for a prescription for a drug that would terminate their life.
Lawmakers in the state claimed it would enable the sufferer to pass away quietly.
“His last words were, ‘I’m happy.’ Andrew was 34 when he shared these words with us,” Naperville resident Suzy Flack stated.
Individuals who are in favor of the law divulged their personal experiences with loved ones who were suffering from terminal illnesses and had taken the medication in states where the procedure is already authorized.
“Knowing people have an option if their suffering becomes unmanageable actually allows terminally ill people to set aside their fears of suffering and live longer, fuller lives until their death,” Dr. Diana Barnard stated.
However, some who are opposed to the law are concerned that it would constitute assisted suicide and does not contain sufficient protections.
An advocate for independent living who works with the Disability Resource Center named Riley Spreadbury stated that the idea of a life that is worth living is subjective and frequently affected by the resources that an individual possesses, rather than the probable expiration date of those resources.
Others are concerned about the impact it will have on vulnerable populations, such as those who are under financial strain, have inadequate family support, or have mental health illnesses that have not been diagnosed.
“My fear is that for some of my patients, these safeguards will be just tight enough to allow lawmakers to think things will be okay and amply generous to allow abuse to happen,” Dr. Ben German stated.
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According to lawmakers, some of the proposed precautions ask for the approval of two different medical professionals and the referral of a mental health specialist in the event that an underlying mental health condition is identified.
Death certificates would indicate the terminal disease rather than the drug administered, and the bill would not affect life insurance benefits.
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Lawmakers stated that choice is crucial. Holmes stated that no one could make you do this.
There is still much work to be done on the bill. Before the conclusion of the spring session in May, supporters will attempt to get it through the legislature.
