Dear [Your Elected Official],

As your constituent, I urge you to support Medical Aid in Dying legislation for the terminally ill in Ohio. 

Ohioan Jim O'Neil recently lost his wife to cancer. It was a very difficult death, though she had wonderful hospice care.

He said,  "I do not know what God has planned for us after death, all I know is that we will ALL find out at some point. I cannot believe that he is a vindictive God and would punish one of his children for accelerating the time of their meeting by a few days, weeks, or months." Please read Jim's heartfelt plea for legislation in Addie's memory here: https://ohiooptions.org/jim-oneil-in-addies-memory-its-time-ohio/

Such a bill would allow competent, terminally-ill Ohioans with less than six months to live to obtain a prescription from their doctor for medications to end their lives peacefully, at the place and time of their choosing.

The bill would establish safeguards that have proven effective in ten states and the District of Columbia. Two qualified healthcare providers must verify a terminal diagnosis with less than six months to live, that the patient is seeking the prescription voluntarily, that the patient is mentally competent, and is able to take the medication independently.

Seven in ten Ohioans, including me, believe that terminally ill people should have the option of medical aid in dying, according to a May 2018 survey of Ohio voters. This law would give Ohioans more freedom and peace of mind when they face inevitable death. 

If I am terminally ill, am mentally competent, and have only six months or less to live, I should have the freedom to decide whether to end my life peacefully if the suffering becomes too great. Most who have used these laws in other states are also enrolled in hospice. This is an additional option that would bring great comfort and allow me to live my life without fearing the process of dying. 

Please support Medical Aid in Dying Legislation for the terminally ill in Ohio.