Last month you were informed about the study of end of life options and the position on this issue reached by the Utah League of Women Voters. We have been asked by the LWVDE Board to consider and to concur, or not, with this position. The Utah League position states:

The League of Women Voters of Utah believes state laws should grant the option for a terminally ill person to request medical assistance from a relevant, licensed physician to end one’s life.

The League of Women Voters of Utah believes such legislation should include safeguards against abuse for the dying and/or medical personnel.

The link to the Utah study is 2016 LWV of Utah Death with Dignity study.

As Joann Hasse, state board president, explained in her memo to all members last month, we could not support a similar bill that previously came before the Delaware legislature because our national health care position doesn’t address the issue and we have no state position. A new bill is expected to be introduced this year and Rep. Paul Baumbach, Representative from Newark, will be discussing it at our March Hot Topic Lunch. This is a controversial subject which needs to be understood clearly by all Delaware residents and certainly by our members. We will be filming this event and will be sending out a link to the videotape of the Hot Topic presentation. If you can’t join us on March 25 for the Hot Topic, we hope you will watch the video and give us feedback so that we know what you, the members of our League, are thinking about concurrence with the Utah position. You can submit your input by replying to that email, or calling the League office, or in person to any board member. This will be on the agenda for the state convention June 1, but if it is clear our members statewide strongly support concurrence with the Utah position, the State Board MAY decide to take Action in support of legislation before Convention.

-- Marj Johnson