Illinois
I’m grateful for Illinois legalizing physician-assisted suicide | Letter
When I became disabled due to a traumatic injury at 17, the first thing I felt was a tremendous loss of control over my life. I’ve worked since then to regain and retain it.
It’s why I embrace the fundamental principle of the independent living movement and the disability rights and justice movement – that all of us have and deserve the right to self-determination and to make our own decisions, including decisions about the services and care we receive.
That is why I am grateful to Gov. Pritzker and the Illinois General Assembly for passing a new law that legalizes Medical Aid in Dying (SB 1950), the End of Life Options Act.
Death elicits fear. It certainly represents the ultimate loss of control. We all hope that it will be peaceful and without great suffering.
For many of us who have experienced marginalization because of disability or age, poverty, race, and other socially imposed constructs, we fear being devalued or dismissed in decision-making in systems, including in chronic or acute health care situations. This law relates specifically to terminal illness, not chronic or acute care. And disability should not be conflated with terminal illness.
The ability to control the decision-making process in the End of Life Options Act is detailed and robust. It’s a high bar to be eligible to participate.
It requires you to be able to be fully in control of the decision-making process and of the administration of medication, only when you have a prognosis of less than six months or less to live. It requires consultation with at least two different medical professionals. It has strong provisions that prevent anyone from assisting or exerting undue influence, including any person to whom you might have already given health care power of attorney.
Medical aid in dying is a trusted and time-tested medical practice that is part of the full spectrum of end-of-life care options, including hospice and palliative care. People move across the country to access it. Those with terminal illness who are unable to relocate because of disability or income need the equity that comes from being able to access options where we live.
As someone who has learned to never take it for granted, I want this right to self-determination to extend through the final days of my life if I should face a terminal illness.
I am grateful that Illinois has joined the many other states who support this additional end of life care option for all who are facing terminal illness.
Beth Langen,Springfield