Maine governor signs death with dignity bill into law

[TAW122]

Here is an article discussing about Maine's governor, Governor Mills signing the bill into law. This makes Maine the 10th state (if including DC, which isn't a state, but a federal district) in the US to have legalized the right to die/death with dignity/assisted suicide/laws that allow terminally ill patients to die. This is great progress and the law will go into effect on January 1st, 2020. (New Year's Day). Let me know what you all think about this.

 

[Jessica5]

6 months to live. That would prevent almost all quadriplegics from being allowed to commit assisted suicide.

 

[TAW122]

6 months to live. That would prevent almost all quadriplegics from being allowed to commit assisted suicide.

Yeah that sucks that as of now, just about all the states with legal assisted suicide/right to die/death with dignity laws only apply towards the terminally ill with <=6 months to live. However, I am hoping that someday some of those states will expand it to cover those who are suffering immense pain or permanent disability such as quadriplegia, paraplegia, ALS, Cerebral Palsy, etc. At any rate, I believe this is a push in a good direction and hopefully in the coming years even more states will pass similar laws.

My state, North Carolina has introduced a bill in the General Assembly (legislature) that will allow terminally ill patients the right to die and/or to hasten their deaths. I don't know when it will pass (or if it will even make it to governor's office to be signed by the governor), but this is some hope for the long term.

 

[TiredHorse]

Well done, Maine.

You have to start somewhere. Hopefully this is the thin end of the wedge, and that one day the criteria for those who qualify will be opened up.

 

[Crematedashes]

It's a step in the right direction. One day people will look back at this time and be surprised that there was once a time where assisted suicide was't legal for all adults.

 

[1964dodge]

Here is an article discussing about Maine's governor, Governor Mills signing the bill into law. This makes Maine the 10th state (if including DC, which isn't a state, but a federal district) in the US to have legalized the right to die/death with dignity/assisted suicide/laws that allow terminally ill patients to die. This is great progress and the law will go into effect on January 1st, 2020. (New Year's Day). Let me know what you all think about this.

I live in maine and find this intriguing thanks for the info. since my illnesses are under control i'm not terminal. but I wish they would include people that are suffering and can't get better, those like me that suffer chronic pain, and severe copd. not terminal but permanent suffering

 

[Jessica5]

I live in maine and find this intriguing thanks for the info. since my illnesses are under control i'm not terminal. but I wish they would include people that are suffering and can't get better, those like me that suffer chronic pain, and severe copd. not terminal but permanent suffering

It feels almost backwards that people who are going to soon die anyway are the only people who are allowed to get assisted suicide. I mean, their suffering will end soon anyway. They have a lot less suffering ahead of them than quadripelegics. Honestly, I'd prefer it be the opposite way around, where people with longer life expectancy can get assisted suicide while people with shorter life expectancy can't.

 

[1964dodge]

I personally think that anyone should be able to get assisted suicide. but first everyone should be evaluated completely for many factors. 1. make sure they are competent to make that decision. 2. have a complete mental health work up done 3. if physical have a physical work up done as well. this way they can make an informed decision. and of course have a diverse panel to approve it with people that are suffering also on that panel. if they are suffering physical, emotional or both and they have all the facts to make the right decision then I say they should be helped with ending their suffering

 

[Deleted member 1496]

I think it's great that they're beginning to accept suicide for at least one specific case, instead of an absolute mental ban on suicide being unacceptable.

What I hope is also recognized, in addition to simply ending someone's suffering, is that someone of sound mind can rationally choose suicide for themselves.

 

[not_a_robot]

Better than nothing, I guess. Maine is pretty backward so this is a big deal, this is progress for them.

You know what will really make a big change in allowing assisted suicide? Same as what made legal weed popular; revenue.
The minute a state makes a big leap in suicide-on-demand, (like for mental illness) and sees some real revenue from "death tourism", many others will slowly get on board.