Hearing Recap: Maine Death with Dignity Act Draws Passionate Testimony

For nearly six hours on Wednesday, April 10, 2019, legislators and citizens provided passionate testimony to the Maine State Legislature’s Committee on Health and Human Services on LD 1313, the Maine Death with Dignity Act. Physicians, religious leaders, advocates, and lawmakers past and present shared the personal stories and professional experience that inform their views on death with dignity. Death with Dignity National Center staff covered the hearing in person and on Twitter. Here are the highlights from the hearing:

#Maine State Rep. Hymanson introducing LD 1313 #DeathwithDignity Act at HHS Committee hearing: pic.twitter.com/XqEztzcCUO

— Death with Dignity (@DeathwDignity) April 10, 2019

#Maine State Rep. @PattyHymanson, sponsor of LD1313, #Maine #DeathwithDignity Act, kicks off this morning's hearing. "Through my 32 years practicing medicine…I have witnessed people dying…it is for these people, my patients, that this bill is before you."

— Death with Dignity (@DeathwDignity) April 10, 2019

Read the full text of the bill here.

Our executive director, Peg Sandeen, shared her expertise on death with dignity laws and emphasized the safeguards in the Maine bill, modeled on the Oregon Death with Dignity Act.

Death with Dignity ED Peg Sandeen speaking in support of #Maine #DeathwithDignity Act: "…the stringent safeguards [in the #Oregon law] have worked for 21 years in protecting vulnerable, terminally ill Oregonians. It alleviates needless suffering among these individuals."

— Death with Dignity (@DeathwDignity) April 10, 2019

Read Peg Sandeen’s full testimony here or watch it here:

*

Valerie Lovelace, chair of the Maine Death with Dignity steering committee and our longtime grassroots partner, testified in memory of two steadfast advocates, Rebecca VanWormer and Eva Thompson, both of whom died of cancer in 2017.

Valerie Lovelace of @MaineDwd: "[#Maine] residents have waited long enough. We make important, independent personal decisions our entire lives. We should be able to make our final one under the protection of a safe, legal, merciful process…" Pass #Maine #DeathwithDignity Act!

— Death with Dignity (@DeathwDignity) April 10, 2019

Dedicated @MaineDwd volunteer Cayla Miller, daughter of #DeathwithDignity advocate Eva Thompson, who died in 2017: "My mom didn't want to die [of colon cancer]. But she was dying. [#Aidindying] would have given her calm at a [painful] time." #AGoodDeathforME

— Death with Dignity (@DeathwDignity) April 10, 2019

Read Cayla’s story here. Our “In Memoriam” piece on Eva Thompson features a video interview with Thompson several months before she died.

*

Nurses, physicians, MRI technicians, and hospice caregivers testified in support of the bill, which they said would provide comfort and control to people facing unbearable suffering from a terminal illness.

Susan Mitchell, #Maine resident and registered nurse, supports #Maine #DeathwithDignity Act: "I saw comfortable deaths and painful deaths. These people don't want to die, they are dying. …[#aidindying] is giving some control back to a person who has a terminal condition."

— Death with Dignity (@DeathwDignity) April 10, 2019

*

Maine Death with Dignity volunteer Chris Trider fought back tears as he shared the story of his wife’s remarkable life and terrible death, and how both inform his advocacy for medical aid in dying.

Chris Trider's wife died last year after enduring unbearable suffering from cancer. "Karen deserved to go out with more dignity" than she did. "It's time for the people of #Maine to show compassion for each other in difficult times" and pass LD 1313, #DeathwithDignity Act.

— Death with Dignity (@DeathwDignity) April 10, 2019

Read Chris’s story here.

*

Faith leaders expressed their belief that the bill would provide a humane and compassionate end-of-life option to mentally capable individuals with six months or fewer to live.

Rev. Marvin Ellison, a Presbyterian minister, testifying in support of #Maine #DeathwithDignity Act: "Denying a dying person the moral freedom to end unnecessary suffering is not merciful [and]…is morally wrong." #aidindying #AGoodDeathforME

— Death with Dignity (@DeathwDignity) April 10, 2019

Rev. Marvin Ellison: "Passage of LD 1313 [#Maine #DeathwithDignity Act]…is a faithful, principled, compassionate way to affirm the dignity and well-being of the dying." #aidindying #AGoodDeathforME

— Death with Dignity (@DeathwDignity) April 10, 2019

*

Others noted the groundswell of support for death with dignity among Mainers.

#Maine resident Jared Bornstein tells legislators about his Papa Joe, who died of a terminal illness and would have chosen #deathwithdignity. He notes that 73 % of Mainers support #aidindying, and implores lawmakers to pass LD 1313, Maine #DeathwithDignity Act. #AGoodDeathforME

— Death with Dignity (@DeathwDignity) April 10, 2019

*

Cyndie Rogers, who is dying of cancer, told lawmakers, “I’m not here to change your religious or personal beliefs. I’m not here to force you to choose death with dignity. What brings me here is my death,” and her desire to ensure she does not have to suffer in her final days.

Read Cyndie’s story here and watch her testimony:

*

Len Freeman, who has been a regular at Maine Death with Dignity volunteer events, articulated why having the option of aid in dying is so important for those facing a terminal illness:

.@MaineDwd volunteer Len Freeman: giving patients with terminal illness "the choice to end their own physical and mental suffering would be of great comfort even if they don't elect to exercise this choice." He asks lawmakers to pass LD 1313, #Maine #DeathwithDignity Act.

— Death with Dignity (@DeathwDignity) April 10, 2019