After 25 years of failed attempts to pass the Death with Dignity laws, Governor Brown signed the ABX2-15 bill, the End of Life Option Act into law on October 5, 2015, making California the fifth state to pass the Death with Dignity laws in the United States. The Act will go into effect on June 2016.   The act authorizes an adult who meets certain qualification, and who has been determined to be suffering from a terminal illness with only six months to live, to make a request for an aid-in-dying drug for the purpose of ending his or her life.

Despite the legalization of physician assisted dying in California, there are still areas of concern that have not been addressed.  These concerns include the minimal involvement of mental health practitioners and the lack of oversight during the administration of the aid-in-dying drug.  An individual’s choice should be respected as long as there are additional safeguards in place to protect vulnerable individuals.  It is critical that mental health professionals are involved throughout the  process of assessment and comprehensive treatment planning to ensure that patients have the capacity to make informed medical decisions.  Additional concerns lie in  the lack of follow-up-by primary physicians that can leave patients vulnerable to coercion and suffering.

We urge you to join us as we advocate for further review of procedures and safeguards which will protect vulnerable individuals.