Friday, November 30, 2018

ASSISTED SUICIDE NOW LEGAL AGAIN IN CALIFORNIA

by Bob Walsh

The End Of Life Option Act was written up by my local Assemblywoman, Susan Eggman, two years back. It allowed (but did not require) doctors to assist in ending the life of terminally ill patients. It was promptly appealed and put on hold.

An appeals court has just overturned that ruling. The court found that The life Legal Defense Foundation did not have legal standing as they could not show that they were harmed by the act. In addition the appeal was in part based on the fact that the bill was passed during a special session that was supposed to address "improving the medical system and health of Californians." It may be a stretch, but the idea is at least in the ballpark of "medical system."

IN 2017 a total of 374 terminally ill patients took this way out. Interestingly, 575 people received the drugs but 201 chose NOT to use them.

Five other states allow assisted suicide.

The court did not rule on the merits of the case, merely the procedural bullshit. That means further successful appeals could be filed if they can come up with standing.

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