California May Soon Push Mentally Disabled People to Kill Themselves in Assisted Suicides

California’s new assisted suicide law, or End of Life Option Act, may be revised to allow patients “with significant intellectual disabilities” to request assisted suicide, Angelus reported.

The doctor-prescribed suicide law passed in October 2015 in California and took effect in June.

It allows doctors to prescribe lethal drugs to mentally competent patients who are diagnosed with a terminal illness and predicted to die within six months, according to LA Times.

These parameters were established as safeguards to protect patients, but now they might be changed.

The California Department of Developmental Services is trying to expand assisted suicide to mentally disabled patients in the state.

These patients are extremely vulnerable for coercion and abuse, and may not have the capability of recognizing the implications of their decision to commit suicide.

 The California department said it wants to expand assisted suicide to the mentally disabled, but safeguards must be put in place to keep other residents and medical personnel safe.

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California May Soon Push Mentally Disabled People to Kill Themselves in Assisted Suicides
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