Post by Hockeynutville on Jul 22, 2009 8:54:33 GMT -5
Dignified End of Life Choices
A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.
A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.
Category: Human Rights
Strength: Strong
Proposed by: Studly Penguins
Description: UNSETTLED by the number of terminally ill persons with no dignified and legal means to choose to end their needless pain and suffering;
MANDATING all WA Nations allow terminally-ill persons to end their lives in a humane and dignified manner through the voluntary administration of lethal medications, expressly prescribed by a health care provider for that purpose.
ESTABLISHING the WA Commission on Human Rights to arbitrate any and all disputes concerning the implementation of this legislation.
1. Definitions:
A) “Terminal illness” means an incurable and irreversible disease that has been medically confirmed and will produce death;
B) “Attending physician” means the health care provider who has primary responsibility for the care and treatment of the patient;
C) “Consulting physician” means a health care provider who is qualified by specialty or experience to make a professional diagnosis and prognosis;
D) “Adult” means a person who has reached his or her nation’s age of majority.
2. The patient seeking to end to his/her own unbearable suffering through legally prescribed lethal drugs must be an Adult suffering from terminal illness. The patient must also be mentally competent and able to make and communicate Health-Care decisions to their doctors or through a provision in a patient's Living Will. Patient must also:
A) Make two oral requests not less than 5 days apart to receive a lethal dose of drugs;
B) Execute a written request for such medication in the presence of two witnesses who, in the presence of the patient, attest that to the best of their knowledge and belief the patient is capable, of sound mind, and acting under free will. No witness shall be a blood relative or one who stands to gain from said patients’ death.
3) Prior to legally prescribing lethal medication, the Attending and Consulting Physician must confirm the diagnosis and verify that the patient's request is voluntary. Physicians must also perform the following:
A) Inform and document on three occasions to the patient his/her diagnosis, prognosis, risks/effects of the lethal medication, other treatment options and patient’s right to rescind their lethal medication request anytime.
B) Immediately prior to administering such drug(s), either Physician must verify and document that the patient is making an informed and voluntary decision.
4. Additional provisions:
A) A patient may rescind a request for lethal medication at any time. When numerous requests are made and then rescinded; an immediate psychiatric consultation is to be ordered.
B) No person shall be subject to any penalty, including civil or criminal liability or professional discipline for participating in good faith compliance with this resolution.
C) A person that willfully seeks to cause a patient’s death without full compliance with the procedures required by this resolution shall be guilty of a crime and subject to civil, criminal, and/or other penalties.
D) This Act is to ensure a dignified end to suffering; it CANNOT and SHALL NOT be used as an excuse to remove undesirable people.
E) A physician has the right to refuse to take part in an assisted death WITHOUT any penalties whatsoever being levied against her/him.
5. This resolution shall not preclude a nation from enacting an assisted suicide law that is less or more restrictive than this resolution, so long as said law complies with Sections 4 (D) and 4 (E).
Co-author: Robert Hawkins