Close to Home: This last right should not be denied

Bob Dylan’s image on the cover of the AARP magazine personifies the tsunami wave of boomers hitting old age. And just as boomers stood up for voting rights, housing rights, women’s rights, contraceptive rights and gay rights, it’s now time to fight for that final human right: the right to die with dignity on your own terms.

It was a generation Y woman, not a boomer, who galvanized California lawmakers into proposing Senate Bill 128, the End of Life Option Act. Brittany Maynard graciously shared her end-of-life experiences at a time when most people conserve their energy and dwindling precious moments for immediate family and loved ones.

California should be ashamed of forcing dying patients and their families to move out of state after existing resources have been exhausted or proven inadequate. Yes, advanced care directives are important. Have you completed yours? And a POLST form (physician orders for life-sustaining treatment) can further ensure you receive the care you desire and prevent interventions you don’t want. Palliative care has advanced and can provide pain relief.

However, there are still situations where patients don’t want the extreme sedation of palliative medicines or indignities dictated by their terminal condition. Many don’t want to be forced to starve or dehydrate themselves to hasten the end or subject their loved ones to witnessing that process.

SB 128 is modeled on Oregon’s law that allows mentally competent adults with a terminal diagnosis (of six months or less) to request the necessary medication without criminalizing themselves, their families or their physicians.

This is entirely voluntary for doctors, pharmacists and health care providers. No one is forced to do this, and, in fact, it would be a felony to coerce someone under this bill. Oregon, Washington, Vermont, Montana and New Mexico currently allow patients access to aid in dying when near terminal. At least 13 states are working on similar laws.

We will all die. If you’re lucky, you might have the rare opportunity to die peacefully in your sleep. If you’re lucky, you will die while maintaining your personal autonomy. Those with religious or personal beliefs against this choice should not control the options of others. Don’t leave your final options up to luck.

Too many of us avoid thinking about the end of life and avoid discussing our wishes with our families. Start speaking about this issue with your friends and family.

File an advanced care directive with your health care provider. Call or write your legislator. Call or write the California Medical Association, whose powerful lobby has scuttled previous attempts at helping end of life patients.

It is important to act now and add to the momentum started by Maynard and her family. If you would like more information on this issue, contact Compassion and Choices at www.compassionandchoices.org.

Dr. Cynthia Tuttelman is a retired family physician and a resident of Petaluma.