Death with Dignity bill

I'm writing to bring awareness on the need to support House Bill 307 Missouri Death with Dignity. Death with Dignity is not a choice of death over life. It is an option for mentally competent adults who are dying that gives them the same freedom of choice in dying as they had while living. All dying people deserve that option, and the tremendous peace of mind that comes with it. The choice should be guided by medical standards and a medical process, not by the whims of politicians and religious leaders or by organizations that profit from providing treatment to the dying process. New Mexico Second Judicial District Judge Nan Nash said it best: "this court cannot envision a right more fundamental, more private or more integral to liberty, safety and happiness than the right of a competent, terminally ill patient to choose aid in dying".

According to Compassion and Choices (compassionandchoices.org) the record shows that in states where it is an authorized medical practice, aid in dying works as intended, and is not subject to abuse. It provides great peace of mind to terminally ill adults as they approach life's end, ensuring they will not have unwanted medical care forced upon them.

Washington, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon and Vermont have passed Death with Dignity laws. Six additional states have bills in consideration. It is past time that Missourians have a Death with Dignity law that honors a patient's right to make decisions after receiving a terminal diagnosis.

GAYLE HENDRIX, Cape Girardeau