Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Someone Else Is Allowed to Speak (and Write) for the Patient

Yesterday, the Dakota Free Press ran an interesting article about the proposed initiated measure, which seeks to legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia in South Dakota.

The article, however, contains two errors. This is understandable given the measure's deceptive language.

The article says that nothing in the measure authorizes anyone to "speak" for the patient during the lethal dose request process and that "the patient herself must make every request."

The Measure Applies to People With Years or Decades to Live

William Toffler MD
By Margaret Dore, Esq.

The measure applies to people with a “terminal disease,” meaning those predicted to have less than six months to live. Such persons may, in fact, have decades to live. This is true for the following reasons:

A. If South Dakota Follows Oregon's Interpretation of "Terminal Disease," the Measure Will Apply to Young Adults with Insulin Dependent Diabetes

The measure states:
“Terminal disease,” [means] an incurable and irreversible disease that has been medically confirmed and will, within reasonable medical judgment, produce death within six months.[1]