End-of-Life Options Understandable, But Still Wrong [PHIL-OSOPHY]

According to Marie Manis, Massachusetts Campaign Manager for Compassion & Choices, Falmouth became the sixth jurisdiction in the Commonwealth to pass a resolution endorsing medical aid-in-dying legislation. The Falmouth Board of Selectmen passed the resolution recently with four "yes" votes, and one abstention.

The resolution will be given to Governor Charlie Baker and lawmakers who represent Falmouth. It calls upon lawmakers to pass the End of Life Options Act, which will be introduced by Rep. Lou Kafka in the upcoming legislative session starting in January. The bill would give a terminally ill, mentally capable adult with six months or less to live the option to request and receive a prescription they can ingest to shorten a dying process, if it becomes unbearable.

Falmouth residents Dr. Roger Kligler, a retired internist living with stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer, and Rabbi Elias Lieberman spearheaded the campaign to pass the Falmouth resolution. Lexington, Amherst, North Hampton, Cambridge, and Provincetown have passed similar resolutions endorsing the End of Life Options Act.

My faith prohibits me from playing God and determining when and how I’m going to die. I abide by my faith’s credo. At the same time, I understand why others will want to consider this choice.

Do you support medical aid in dying? It’s been practiced for over 40 combined years in six states: Oregon, Washington, Montana, Vermont, California, Colorado and the District of Columbia. In addition, the Hawaii legislature passed a medical aid-in-dying law earlier this year that takes effect on Jan. 1, 2019. More information can be found at CompassionAndChoices.org and CompassionAndChoices.org/Massachusetts.

Phil Paleologos is the host of The Phil Paleologos Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Contact him at phil@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @PhilPaleologos. The opinions expressed in the commentary are solely those of the author.