California has just legalized the right to die.
State governor Jerry Brown signed the bill into law on Monday, Oct 5. Other states where it is legal are Oregon, Washington, and Vermont. It was legalized in New Mexico in 2014 but was later overturned in 2015. In Montana, the Baxter vs Montana ruling showed that doctors can use the patient's request as a defense for assisting suicide.
The decision is considered significant in many fronts. First, the governor is a well-known Catholic and a former seminarian. Moreover, assisted suicide has long been opposed by many Catholic and pro-life groups.
Cardinal Sean O'Malley, who is currently the chairman of the pro-life activities committee of US Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued a very strong statement against the decision and the governor, saying the decision is a "great tragedy" for human life. Further, terminally ill patients who may also have mental health issues due to the disease would receive lethal drugs instead of genuine care.
For his part, however, Brown insisted that he wouldn't deny the comfort the passage of the bill might provide to others.
The advocates have also been rallying behind assisted suicide for more than eight years, failing many times in the ballot or in the legislature before it won in September.
It received the traction it needed when Brittany Maynard's life story became more public. In an op-ed she published in CNN, Maynard, 29, was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer, and was given only six months to live. After comparing all her options, she decided for assisted suicide. However, the California native was forced to move to Oregon since it was illegal in her state. Before she died on Nov 1, 2014, she became active in end-of-life organizations, working as a volunteer advocate.
Under the California law, terminally ill patients who will choose assisted suicide have to see a doctor, who will then consult with the patient privately. A drug will be provided to the patient, who will then have the option to take it at his own will and at any time. Doctors are not allowed to coerce or talk patients to taking the drugs. Otherwise, they will be charged with a felony.
The law will take effect on Jan 1, 2016.