California Gets Ready To Implement Aid-In-Dying Law

05:50

April 12, 2016

As the End of Life Option Act enactment date approaches, advocates have launched a campaign to educate Californians about the law. (Saul Gonzalez)

Matt Fairchild and his wife Ginger at the UCLA Medical Center. Fairchild was diagnosed with stage IV melanoma that's spread through his body. He's glad he will have the option to legally end his life if he chooses to do so. (Saul Gonzalez)

On June 9, California will become the fifth state in the country where it’s legal for terminally ill people to take their own lives with the help of a physician.

Supporters say such aid-in-dying laws save people from needless pain and suffering in their final days and allow them a more dignified death.

Critics worry about people being coaxed into taking their own lives and, more fundamentally, the morality of assisted suicide.

Saul Gonzalez from KCRW in Los Angeles has more.

Read more via KCRW

Reporter

Saul Gonzalez, reporter and producer at KCRW. He tweets @SaulKCRW.

This segment aired on April 12, 2016.

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