I am writing in support of House Bill 835, which offers a compassionate option to terminally ill Ohioans through Medical Aid in Dying (MAID). Please, hold a hearing—let us share our stories and voices. This is about the freedom to make our own decisions in our final days.

The U.S. Model of Medical Aid in Dying has strict requirements with proven safeguards. MAID allows a terminally ill adult to request and qualify for a prescription from their doctor that they may take to die peacefully when they choose. As public policy, it reflects compassion and respect for individual rights, allowing a measure of control while preserving important protections.

The person must:

• Be an adult with a terminal (incurable and irreversible) illness and six months or less to live, determined by two physicians.
• Be able to make informed decisions.
• Be acting voluntarily.
• Be capable of self-administering and ingesting medications.

There are additional steps, such as oral and written requests, as well as a waiting period. It is an option in addition to quality hospice care.

Advanced age and disabilities do not qualify as terminal illnesses for MAID. The request may not be written into an Advance Directive for those with dementia or Alzheimer's.

Medical Aid in Dying is optional. All healthcare providers may opt to participate or not.  Only the patient may make the request, and he or she may rescind the request at any time. 

I appreciate your support for a proponent hearing for this meaningful legislation.