In a historic development, a bipartisan group of State Representatives has introduced a bill calling for enactment of Medical Aid in Dying legislation. Rep Pricey Harrison (D-61), Rep Susan Fisher (D-114), Rep Chuck McGrady (R-117) and Rep Jon Hardister (R-59) made history by sponsoring a unique bill which for the first time requires applicants for MAID to first undergo a hospice assessment. Opponents of MAID often posit that no one suffering from a terminal illness would ever knowingly opt for MAID if they first enter a hospice program. Statistics from OR, CA, WA CO and other belie that argument, as some 90% of MAID patients are indeed enrolled in hospice when they make the MAID application. Nevertheless, HB 879 provides a trade-off from the imposition of the required hospice assessment, by eliminating as no longer needed a second Consulting Physician’s confirmation of the applicant’s terminal status and reducing the waiting period.
Dying Right NC thanks and applauds the four House sponsors who have shown exemplary leadership in bridging the fractious political divide and finding common ground in HN879 as a much needed option for North Carolina’s terminally ill citizens.https://webservices.ncleg.net/ViewBillDocument/2019/3527/0/DRH10442-MG-15B
Please take a minute to thank the sponsors for their courage by writing directly to their legislative offices:
Pricey.Harrison@ncleg.net; Susan.Fisher@ncleg.net; Jon.Hardister@ncleg.net; Chuck.McGrady@ncleg.net
Edmund Tiryakian
Ed Tiryakian, J.D., MBA, founded Dying Right NC in 2015 and is its Executive Director. He previously worked in international banking in Asia before retiring to his native NC.He believes End of Life issues are one of society’s most pressing challenges as we all live longer and the medicalization of the dying process continues to conflict with the individual’s right to choose his or her end.
