State must approve aid-in-dying bill

I’ve learned over the last few weeks that tackling tough issues during a short legislative session is rather unpopular. Without a doubt, dozens of important issues will fall by the wayside due to legislative deadlines and political stalemates. But there are some issues that we grapple with that simply cannot wait. While every problem feels urgent, my colleagues and I will be forced to determine over the next week which bills to prioritize and which could be dealt with by a future legislature.

I believe dignity in death is one that cannot wait. I have spent the last year meeting with family members who watched their loved ones struggle with a terminal disease and endure a treatment plan they did not wish to pursue. I’ve heard from doctors who watched their patients writhe in pain, deprived of health care choices during their final days. I’ve listened to survivors of a serious illness who fear what will happen if their health deteriorates. Constituents who have developed a terminal illness, such as Alzheimer’s disease, have shared their fear about what the future could hold for their families.

As a legislator, I think it’s my job to listen and learn from my constituents. Although I was aware of issues surrounding end-of-life choices, I’ve come to care much more deeply about this issue and the families it impacts. During every one of my visits to a senior center, the conversation inevitably turns to whether or not patients in Connecticut will retain control over their own medical decisions at every stage of life. I think they should, so I’ve decided to co-sponsor House Bill 5420, “An Act Concerning Aid In Dying For Terminally Ill Patients.”

I supported this bill last year, although it never made it out of the Public Health Committee. Why bother trying again, during an abbreviated legislative calendar? In my view, we owe it to those who are currently suffering to provide relief. Of course, this bill comes too late for many families. If you’re interested, read through the testimony from last year and hear the stories of those who were deprived of dignity in their final hours. As this session moves forward, I challenge any of my colleagues to look a terminally ill patient in the eye and tell them that the Legislature doesn’t have time to consider this reform.

Keep in mind, Connecticut would not be the first state to permit medical aid in dying, and we have an opportunity to follow the example of states that have passed safe, well-regulated programs. HB 5420 would allow doctors to prescribe legal doses of medication to patients who have terminal illnesses and who experience significant pain. A patient would need to submit two separate requests to access the medication, with each request witnessed by two people who are not family members, would not benefit from the patient’s estate and are not medical professionals.

The patient would also need to speak with a physician who would inform them of risks they face and alternatives they could pursue instead, such as palliative care to potentially alleviate pain. If a patient experiences a psychiatric condition in addition to a terminal illness, they would be required to undertake counseling to test competence and ensure they are of sound mind. No one would be allowed to act on behalf of a patient; they would need to speak for themselves. Further, doctors would approach the requests by individual case and could reject requests.

I’m grateful that the chairs of the Public Health Committee, Rep. Steinberg and Sen. Abrams, understand the urgency of this issue and have raised it once again in the Public Health Committee. I look forward to working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to deliver peace of mind for our constituents.