LEGISLATURE 2023-24: Death with Dignity waiting period shortened in proposed bill (SCN)
Renee Diaz reports in the Washington State Journal. This article was reprinted in the Stanwood Camano News on Mar. 14, 2023.
Terminally ill patients seeking help to end their lives with the aid of a physician shouldn’t have to wait so long to get approval from the state.
That’s the position of Sen. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, who said he intends to eliminate barriers to care without removing safeguards in the Washington Death with Dignity Act. His Senate-passed proposal is ESSB 5179.
“One in four people do not live long enough to survive the 15-day waiting period (currently in the law).
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They Said It
Sen. Ron Muzzall, R-Oak Harbor, said when he was a senior in high school, he sat with his uncle while he was dying and told him he loved him. Although incoherent for a week his uncle, in a moment of clarity, told Muzzall he loved him back. His uncle died the next night.
“It isn’t about taking it away. It’s about honoring the requests of the voters of the state of Washington, and I think that is what’s important. I think having a second thought, having sideboards, having that last moment to decide is important.”
Muzzall voted against the bill.
