Falmouth Selectmen Vote to Support Physician-Assisted Suicide

Dr. Roger Kligler 

FALMOUTH – Selectmen in Falmouth have passed a measure in support of the legalization of physician-assisted suicide.

The discussion took place at the board’s meeting earlier this month and featured comments from a retired Falmouth physician who himself is suffering with stage 4 prostate cancer.

“Medical aid in dying would permit terminally ill, mentally competent adults to receive a prescription from a physician for a lethal medication to end their suffering if and when they feel their suffering is too much to tolerate.” Dr. Roger Kligler explained.

“On a personal note, I have incurable metastatic prostate cancer. The probability is that it will eventually take my life.” he continued.

“Like many of us, I know that the end of my life may involve significant suffering. Each individual is the only person who can determine whether one’s life is tolerable while going through the terminal phases of disease.”

Kligler reminded selectmen that Falmouth residents voted in favor of a 2012 ballot initiative which would have allowed medical aid in dying, which failed at the state level.

Following a brief discussion on the matter selectmen voted unanimously in favor of a non-binding resolution to send a letter in support of the measure to the Massachusetts legislature. Becoming the sixth Bay State municipality to do so.

“It’s a matter of having a process to eliminate suffering for folks who are of sound mind and want this as an option,” said board chair Susan Moran.

Selectmen agreed to discuss the precise wording of their statement to the legislature at their next meeting, scheduled for July 23rd.

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