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The Massachusetts "Death with Dignity" Initiative, also known as Question 2, appeared on the November 6, 2012 general election ballot in the state of Massachusetts as an indirect initiated state statute to allow physician-assisted suicide. The measure was filed with the Massachusetts Attorney General and would establish, according to those who filed the measure, an "Act Relative to Death with Dignity". The petition number for the initiative was 11-12, and was filed by Michael Clarke as "An Initiative Petition for an Act Relative to Death with Dignity".[1]
The proposal was to allow terminally ill patients to be given lethal drugs. A terminally ill patient would be defined as a patient being given six months or fewer to live. The patient requesting the medication must be mentally capable to make medical decisions while consulting their respective doctors. Patients would be required to submit their request orally twice and witnessed in writing, and the initial verbal request must be fifteen days prior to the written request and second oral request. The patient's terminal diagnosis and capability to make health care decisions must be confirmed by a second doctor.[2]
The proposed measure, according to the text, requires substantial compliance with these and other requirements. The text states: "A person who substantially complies in good faith with provisions of this chapter shall be deemed to be in compliance with this chapter."[2]
The proposed act also allows blood relatives to participate in assisting the patient to sign up for the lethal dose, providing that one of the required witnesses on the lethal dose request form not be a patient’s relative by blood, marriage or adoption.[2] Supporters argue that the measure would give terminally ill patients dignity and control over their deaths, and would alleviate suffering. Opponents argue that the measure is morally wrong, and that beneficiaries of terminally ill patients could abuse the provisions presented by the proposal.
Voters blocked the measure by a thin margin in the November 6, 2012 general election, with 49% of voters for and 51% against.[3]
- ^ "Attorney General Martha Coakley's Office Receives 31 Initiative Petitions Proposing 21 Laws and One Constitutional Amendment". Mass.gov. 2011-08-03. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
- ^ a b c "11-12 Massachusetts Attorney General, Text of Measure" (PDF). Retrieved 2013-04-13.
- ^ "Physician-assisted suicide - Question 2 - 2012 Massachusetts Election Results". Boston Globe. November 8, 2012. Retrieved November 10, 2012.
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