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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | April 12, 2021 01:14 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Angel Cruz and Rep. Carol Hill-Evans |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Compassionate Assisted Dignified Death |
| Advancements in modern medicine can help extend the lives of those we love. However, for many people faced with a terminal illness, this extension merely prolongs an inevitable prognosis, causing unnecessary suffering when pain management isn’t successful. Death with dignity laws have been enacted in nine states and the District of Columbia that offer terminally-ill adults who meet specific, well-defined requirements the option to end their life peacefully and on their terms. It’s time to legalize medical, compassionate aid in dying for terminally-ill Pennsylvanians who face unbearable and unrelieved suffering during their final days. The Compassionate Assisted Dignified Death Act, if passed, would allow adult residents with a terminal illness to request a prescription that would end their life in a dignified and humane manner. Modeled after Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act, my legislation includes protections to ensure that patients remain the driving force in end-of-life care discussions, including the ability to rescind the decision at any time. No one else should get to decide how much pain a terminally-ill person must endure. Please join me in supporting this legislation to offer Pennsylvanians the choice to end their suffering in a compassionate and dignified way. |
Introduced as HB1453