DETV’s The Agenda | Delaware End of Life Options Act
Exclusive Interview with Rep. Baumbach and Dr. Gardere
WILMINGTON, Del. – After six long years of development and revisions, the HB140/The Ron Silverio-Heather Block End of Life Options Act has passed through legislation. Presently, the bill is waiting for the signature of approval by Delaware Governor John Carney before becoming law. Both Delaware State Representative Paul Baumbach and Dr. Jeff Gardere continue to support the medical aid-in-dying act. Watch DETV’s exclusive interview with Rep. Baumbach and Dr. Jeff Gardere about Delaware’s End of Life Options Act.
Understanding the End of Life Options Act
The Ron Silverio-Heather Block End of Life Options Act proposes to allow mentally competent adults to request a prescription for life-ending medication. Specifically, eligible patients are diagnosed with a terminal illness and have an estimated six months or less to live. This legislative effort is modeled after Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act, which has existed since 1997. The bill honors Ron Silverio and Heather Block, both of whom lost their lives from terminal illness while advocating for the right to end-of-life choices for Delawareans.
Statewide Support
Delawarean Voters – In 2020, 72% of all Delaware voters supported medical aid-in-dying legislation. Additionally, of the political parties, 72% of Democratic voters, 75% of Independent voters, and 67% of Republican voters cast their support. Poll performed by GBAO.
Delawarean Physicians – Of the 147 Delaware physicians surveyed, 74% supported passing the medical-aid-in-dying bill. Alongside the three-quarters of all the physicians surveyed, 77% of physicians in the Medical Society in Delaware support this bill. Poll performed by NüPOINT Market Research in 2022.
Endorsements – Furthermore, the Delaware Nurses Association, Delaware Coalition of Nurse Practitioners, and Delaware Psychological Association have all endorsed the bill.
“I cannot express how much I appreciate the Senate and House passing this compassionate legislation after working for six years to persuade lawmakers to support it. I am pleading with Gov. Carney to sign this compassionate legislation, as every other Democratic governor has done in states where medical aid-in-dying legislation has passed, including several Catholic governors like him. I have had cancer twice in the last 10 years. At age 80, my time is running out, and without this law, I am facing a prolonged period of needless suffering when I die.” – Judy Govatos, Wilmington resident
Ways to Show Your Support
- READ & WATCH – Stay informed by reading about the Ron Silverio/Heather Block Delaware End of Life Options Act. Also, watch DETV’s exclusive interview with Rep. Baumbach and Dr. Gardere.
- SHARE – Whenever possible, share the message on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or with your community!
- WRITE – Send messages and letters to Governor John Carney encouraging him to sign the bill.
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