State Rep. Scaccia Opposed to Question 2 - To Legalize Physician-Assisted Suicide

State Rep. Angelo Scaccia said he does not want Question 2, which if passed would legalize physician-assisted suicide in Massachusetts, to pass. 

If passed, the ballot question would legalize doctor-assisted suicide on January 1, 2013. But Scaccia is one of many lawmakers and medical community, who say Question 2 is deeply flawed and lacks critical safeguards for protecting patients. 

“As vice-chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse, I am deeply concerned with Question 2 and, specifically, its lacking of a psychiatric evaluation for terminally ill patients,” said Scaccia, D-Readville. “Quality mental health must be ensured for all citizens throughout the Commonwealth and, as it stands, Question 2 undermines that effort through its lack of necessary safeguards. I strongly urge the people of Readville, Roslindale, Hyde Park and Milton to vote No on Question 2 on November 6.”

State Rep. Ed .

Scaccia represents Milton, Hyde Park, Roslindale and Readville.

Scaccia highlighted several concerns with Question 2:

• The lethal prescription would be dispensed at a local pharmacy and public health official would have no system for tracking the lethal dose.
• A physician would not be required to be present when a patient takes the pill, leaving him or her vulnerable to complications and injury not resulting in death.
• There is no required psychiatric evaluation despite studies indicating 30-50% of patients with a terminal diagnosis develop - treatable – depression
• Patients with a prognosis of six months or fewer to live could choose to end their lives, even though most doctors admit they cannot accurately predict life expectancy. 
• Patients could choose to end their lives without ever talking to a spouse or family member.  
• Patients could obtain a lethal prescription without talking to hospice and palliative care professionals, who are trained to help people with ongoing diseases (some terminal, some not) to manage their symptoms and minimize pain.  

The Massachusetts Medical Society, Massachusetts Academy of Family Physicians and the Massachusetts Osteopathic Society, have each announced their opposition to Question 2.