People throughout the great state of California and the United
States are deeply divided on the right to die issue, especially
since the story of Florida’s Terri Schiavo gripped the nation.
However, the Free Lance editorial board believes Assembly Bill 654
California Compassionate Choices Act that allows Californians to
make a deeply personal decision about their own lives should be
written into law.
People throughout the great state of California and the United States are deeply divided on the right to die issue, especially since the story of Florida’s Terri Schiavo gripped the nation. However, the Free Lance editorial board believes Assembly Bill 654 California Compassionate Choices Act that allows Californians to make a deeply personal decision about their own lives should be written into law.
We believe people should be given the right to end their existence under the supervision of a doctor when faced with a chronic illness they personally feel unable to endure. The legislation contains several processes designed to ensure no one can end their life without considerable contemplation, counseling and guidance. After a patient chooses to end their life, they must wait 15 days before taking a lethal dose of medication and can change their mind at any time for any reason and it only applies to patients whose prognosis finds they will expire in six months. It hardly allows physicians to prescribe death, and amendments to the bill allow physicians to refuse to provide such care if it creates a personal ethical dilemma.
Passing AB 654 truly is a compassionate choice that will allow those who suffer from hopeless illness to end their suffering with dignity.
There are far worse experiences to suffer in life than death and a civilized society should not dictate a person’s decision to end their own life. Allowing chronically ill patients to make a informed decision about their fate only furthers personal liberty. And, those who truly wish to end their lives will find a way to do so regardless of any laws. Passing this legislation only allows people to make such a decision with dignity and counseling under supervised medical care.
Granted opponents offer compelling arguments against the bill, but it should be noted that the ultimate choice to end one’s life lies solely in the heart of each individual. Opponents of the bill must realize this only authorizes people who choose to end their lives to do so. Those with ethical problems in doing so, be it religious, personal or otherwise, can choose life.
And, we should not pretend that doctors have an insurmountable ethical problem with providing care that terminates a patient’s life. A survey by the Louis Finkelstein Institute of New York found that 57 percent of 1,088 physicians polled nationwide after Oregon passed the Death with Dignity Act this bill is modeled after believed physician-assisted suicide is ethical.
We must remember the U.S. Constitution and state law holds no jurisdiction over an individual’s life. Passing the bill gives people a choice, failing to pass this bill unjustly robs them of control over their own destiny. Creating legislation that allows people to determine when their suffering is so great they can no longer continue expands our rights as individuals in a free society. The Legislature should accept the law and allow people to make the greatest personal choice imaginable – the choice to end their hopeless struggle.
To respond to this editorial or comment on this issue, please send or bring letters to Editor, The Hollister Free Lance, 350 Sixth St., Hollister, Calif. 95023 or e-mail to
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