Kimberly Lambert: Pass ‘Death with Dignity’
Published: 1/10/2021 1:19:41 PM
Modified: 1/10/2021 1:19:22 PM
So we have chosen our next president and I am relieved, yet our Massachusetts legislators have another very important political decision to make now.
Will we decide to allow our loved ones and ourselves to die without pain and suffering? Will we continue to allow the terminally ill to endure what can be an agonizing death, or will we celebrate and protect quality of life until the end of life?
The Massachusetts Public Health Committee approved the End of Life Options Act (H.4782 and S.2745) in May. Now this important bill is before the Legislature for passage. A Boston Globe poll found that 70% of Massachusetts citizens want a “Death with Dignity” bill passed. Nine states plus Washington, D.C. have passed such bills, including Maine and Vermont.
Opinion: Massachusetts nurses support passing death with dignity bill
Telegram & Gazette
As both active and retired registered nurses, we are among the 70% of Massachusetts citizens according to a recent poll by the Boston Globe and Suffolk University who support legalizing the option of medical aid in dying for people who are terminally ill and mentally capable of making their own end-of-life health-care decisions.
We support passing The End of Life Options Act (House Bill #4782, Senate Bill #2745) because we’ve cared for terminally ill patients for a cumulative total of nearly 200 years, and seen too many leave this world in severe pain and often prolonged, unrelieved suffering.
As both active and retired registered nurses, we are among the 70 percent of Massachusetts citizens â according to a recent poll by The Boston Globe and Suffolk University â who support legalizing the option of medical aid in dying for people who are terminally ill and mentally capable of making their own end-of-life health-care decisions.
We support passing The End of Life Options Act (H.4782, S.2745) because weâve cared for terminally ill patients for a cumulative total of nearly 200 years, and seen too many leave this world in severe pain and often prolonged, unrelieved suffering. Hospice and palliative care have come a long way in the past few decades, helping the majority of people with terminal cancer, heart disease and other illnesses to remain as comfortable as possible in their final stage of life.
Comerford, constituents talk legislative achievements, priorities in online town hall
State Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, answers radio host Christopher “Monte” Belmonte’s questions about voting in Massachusetts during a live broadcast at Mike’s Maze in Sunderland in October. On Tuesday evening, Comerford was on hand virtually, anyway for a town hall to explain her work to constituents. Staff File Photo/Mary Byrne
Published: 12/9/2020 4:37:14 PM
NORTHAMPTON It has been a little over two years since Jo Comerford was elected as the state senator in the Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester District.
During that time, the Legislature has dealt with large items like equitable education funding, food insecurity, safe mobility for undocumented immigrants and climate change. Some bills have passed, others have been put on the back burner. And on Tuesday evening, the Northampton Democrat was on hand virtually, anyway for a town hall to explain that work to constituent