PORT ANGELES — Just more than two dozen people spoke either for or against the Olympic Medical Center Board of Commissioner’s decision to “opt out” of Initiative 1000, otherwise known as the Death with Dignity Act, at the board’s meeting this week.
Of the 25 people who spoke Wednesday, 15 asked the board to reconsider its decision while 10 thanked the board for voting to not allow patients to take medication to end their own lives on its property.
The initiative, which became law on March 5, allows competent adults with six months or less to live to decide ends their lives.
The patients must submit a series of formal requests for life-ending medication prescribed by a physician. The process must be well-documented, closely monitored and scrutinized.
The medication itself would have to be administered by the patient who requests it.
The initiative was approved by nearly 61 percent of voters in Clallam County and more than 72 percent in Jefferson County.
The large turnout was prompted by the League of Women Voters of Clallam County, which had encouraged its members to speak on the issue at the meeting, said several people.
League President Penney Van Fleet asked the board to reconsider its decision because it was approved by voters in Clallam County and reminded them that voters approved a levy increase for the hospital last November.
“This was a landslide vote in Clallam County for the choice to have death with dignity,” she said.
Many of the people who spoke weren’t League members. They came to speak their mind after they heard others were going to do the same.
“Your vote goes against the will of the majority of people,” said Rudolph Meyer.
“It’s a slap in the face of a democratic society.”
Voicing an opposing view to the act, Yvonne Doherty said the last moments of life should be cherished by family members.
“I want to thank you for voting for life,” she said.
“If you die before your time, you don’t have the time to share things you may not have had the time to do.”
Joan Cates of Port Angeles thanked the board for its decision.
“Some things can’t be controlled and shouldn’t be controlled,” she said.
Board chairman Jim Leskinovitch said the board will continue to evaluate its decision, made on March 4, but added that it has not been determined whether a re-vote will occur.
“It’s not a dead issue,” he said. “I can promise you that.”
_________
Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
