Certain hospice-related subjects seem easy to write about. For me, California’s End of Life Option Act (EOLOA) isn’t one of those easy topics.
In June 2016, the EOLOA became law. I wrote about it then.
The EOLOA allows dying patients to take medication to end their life. Two doctors must examine that adult patient (18 years of age and older), with both agreeing she or he has an illness that will lead to death in six months or less. The EOLOA has extensive steps the patient is personally responsible for taking. Those steps include meeting with doctors, completing forms, and drinking the medicine. The process is intentionally complicated.
- Since that day in June, I think people are committing suicide.
- Since that day in June, I think doctors are murdering their patients.
- Since that day in June, I think there’s another option for a dignified death.
Which of the above statements would you make?
I suspect a majority of Californians—or anyone where a “right to die” law permits a medically assisted death—would need a fourth choice for a truthful answer:
- Since that day in June, like always, I just do my best to get through the week.
by 
