Monday, April 16, 2012

A group of Lawrence residents says Kansas should become the fourth state in the country to legalize physician-assisted death.

The Kaw Valley Older Women's League is circulating a petition to ask Kansas lawmakers to introduce legislation to make physician-assisted death legal.

Members said they want to at least start a discussion about the issue so Kansans could consider it an option.

The group supports restrictions similar to a law enacted in Oregon in 1997. Oregon requires a doctor to prescribe medication but it must be administered by the patient, who must have a prognosis of six months or less to live.

The Kaw Valley Older Women's League is part of the national organization that addresses issues that impact midlife and older women.