His experiences as a patient, as well as a doctor, have framed his views on dying. Kligler is the force behind a drive to legalize medically assisted death in Massachusetts. His case, which has stirred passionate debate on both sides, is scheduled to go before the Supreme Judicial Court for oral arguments Wednesday…
In 2019, the Suffolk Superior Court dismissed all but one count on summary judgment, saying patients do not have a constitutional right to end their lives with the help of their doctors. But the court ruled that physicians have the right to counsel patients about end-of-life options…
Some form of medically assisted death is legal in 10 states — California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington ― plus Washington, D.C.
In 2012, Massachusetts voters narrowly defeated a ‘death with dignity’ ballot referendum, which would have allowed terminally ill patients to obtain lethal drugs if they had six months or fewer to live. Opponents outspent supporters by a 5-1 margin. Fierce opposition came from a broad coalition of religious, conservative, and antiabortion activists across the country.
This isn’t about anybody wanting to die, said Kligler’s lawyer, John Kappos. There would be strict parameters to determine a patient’s eligibility and competency, he said.
‘We are talking about people who are seriously medically ill, usually it’s cancer patients, people who have debilitating illnesses,’ Kappos said. “They want to live, they wish they didn’t have the illness. They’re just facing the reality of a lot of suffering, as they get down to days and weeks from dying and they want this option as a peace of mind and a way to just feel more comfortable and in control of their final days.'”
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