DC Death with Dignity Survives Federal Congress Repeal

Congressional have protected Washington, D.C.’s Death with Dignity Act by excluding a House-approved appropriations bill rider to overturn the law from the final omnibus appropriations bill signed into law this afternoon. Last September, the U.S. House of Representatives passed an appropriations bill (H.R. 3354) that included an amendment by U.S. Rep. Andy Harris (MD) to repeal the D.C. Death with Dignity Act, which authorizes medical aid in dying in the District of Columbia.“For seven long months, terminally ill D.C. residents like Mary Klein have been living on pins and needles worrying if Congress would take away this peaceful option to end unbearable suffering,” said Kim Callinan, CEO of Compassion & Choices. “Thankfully, congressional leaders made the right decision after hearing from their constituents, protected this law and honored the autonomy of the District to pass legislation that a supermajority of its Council members and resident support.”“I am in the last part of my life because of terminal ovarian cancer, so I am extremely relieved that Congress has the left D.C. Death with Dignity Act intact,” said Mary Klein, who has endured radical surgery, 65 chemotherapy treatments and countless trips to the emergency room and admissions to the hospital to extend her life. "Now I just hope I can find a physician willing to write me a prescription for aid-in-dying medication, so I have the option to take it if my suffering beco...
Source: blog.bioethics.net - Category: Medical Ethics Authors: Tags: Health Care syndicated Source Type: blogs