Last spring, I was glad that our state Rep. Peter Kocot became a co-sponsor of a bill called the ‘End of Life Options Act’ (H1194), after meeting with eight local citizens and supporters of “death with dignity” laws, and discussing it with other legislators.
If passed, it would make Massachusetts the seventh state, plus Washington, D.C., to authorize medical and compassionate aid in dying. This would allow state residents who are terminally ill and mentally and physically capable, to self-administer a prescription that would shorten their life by a few weeks or months if their pain and quality of life became unbearable.
Nearly five years ago, in a statewide referendum, Northampton residents voted resoundingly in favor of such a proposed law. Since then, California, Colorado, Vermont and D.C. have passed such laws, as has Canada nationwide. I think it’s time our state does so, too.
Here are three ways to help make this happen. 1) Attend the Sept. 26 hearing at the Statehouse, or submit written testimony to the Joint Public Health Committee before the hearing.
2) If you live in Northampton, add your name to a statement to the Northampton City Council, urging it to consider and pass a resolution supporting H1194, as other cities have already done.
3) Come hear Dr. Roger Kligler, who is terminally ill, speak in Northampton on Oct. 16 at 1:30 p.m. at the Friends Meetinghouse at 43 Center St. and 7 p.m. at the Senior Center at 67 Conz St.. His talk is titled “Death with Dignity: a Doctor’s Fight for His and Our Last Rights.”
John Berkowitz
Northampton
The writer is a member of the Pioneer Valley Death with Dignity Action Group. He may be contacted at johnpberk@gmail.com or 413-387-8439.