There is only one thing that we are all guaranteed in life, and that is the fact that everyone will eventually die. While some people may lose their life quickly and in a tragic way, others may die of old age and peacefully in their sleep. For a portion of the population, they will actually be given a time frame and know about when their death will come. They will have to start to grieve the loss of their life and start to plan out their own demise. They already have to make hard decisions like will they get a feeding tube, a bipap, be intubated, etc. Talking with a doctor to see about receiving treatment that could end unnecessary and unwanted suffering should be a part of that. 

If we can pass the Death with Dignity Act in Tennessee, it will mean that patients who have a terminal illness will be able to make the educated decision to receive medical treatment from a licensed doctor to prevent any unnecessary suffering. Not everyone will choose this treatment, just like some people sign a DNR and others don't. Some may choose to do intubation to lengthen their life while others don't. It is just one of many choices that these terminally ill patients can make. Some patients choose all of the medical intervention possible to lengthen their life while others choose not to. Some are fully focused on QUALITY over QUANTITY and we should have every option available for them. When we don't have this option for them, we are forcing them to suffer when that isn't a choice they are wanting to make. 

It is extremely important to me that we turn this into a reality. Getting something like this passed takes time, and time is something that a terminally ill patient is limited on. That is why we should start NOW. What if you or someone you know is diagnosed with a terminal illness tomorrow? We should absolutely give people the option to choose medical treatment that can stop their unnecessary suffering. We should focus on their quality of life and make sure they are getting the exact treatment that they need. Dying should not be a crime.