“At the end of the day, this is one of the most personal decisions a person will ever make. It is a decision shared between them, their faith, their loved ones, and their medical providers.” – Representative Eric Synenberg
On April 23, as Representative Eric Synenberg (D-Beachwood) stood before the room, he was filled with urgency and hope to introduce Ohio’s Medical Aid in Dying Act (HB835). This marked the first time since 2018 that Ohio has introduced a medical aid in dying bill, marking years of advocacy in a new effort to bring a Death with Dignity law to the Buckeye State.
Death with Dignity Board President and founder/Executive Director of Ohio End of Life Options, Lisa Vigil Schattinger, Shara Baumgartel of Marietta, Jim O’Neil of Waterville, and Michael Oser of Columbus, shared their personal stories. Together, they made it clear that the time has come for Ohio to pass HB835.
We’ve highlighted some of the powerful moments from the press conference.
Introducing the Medical Aid in Dying Act
Representative Synenberg opened the press conference by reminding us what HB835 is truly about: autonomy, compassion, dignity, and freedom. He thanked our partner, Ohio End of Life Options, for their incredible advocacy, and the co-sponsors of the bill, Representatives Crystal Lett, Tristan Rader, and Anita Somani.
The contents of the bill were also discussed. All patients must have a terminal diagnosis with a prognosis of six months or less to live, make a voluntary request on their own behalf, possess the capacity to make their own healthcare decisions, be able to self-administer the medication, and be a resident of Ohio. The Medical Aid in Dying Act also has similar safeguards to the 14 jurisdictions with Death with Dignity laws.
Representative Synenberg closed his remarks with these words, “… At the end of the day, this is one of the most personal decisions a person will ever make. It is a decision shared between them, their faith, their loved ones, and their medical providers.”
A Peaceful End-of-Life Option
Lisa Vigil Schattinger spoke about how Ohioans deeply value autonomy and the freedom to determine how they live their lives. That commitment to self-determination extended to her beloved stepfather, a retired neurologist living in Oregon who faced end-stage cancer. Because of Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act, he was able to choose how his life would end—peacefully, surrounded by love, exactly as he wished.
Since then, Lisa has met with Ohioans whose loved ones endured suffering at the end of life without peace or dignity. They want the ability to remain at home, access high-quality hospice care, and have the option of medical aid in dying. They want the same choice her stepfather had.
Lisa urges Ohio leaders to listen to these stories. “Let us choose comfort and peace at life’s end, afford us the same freedom that we have always valued in the great state of Ohio.”
An Advocate for Choice at the End of Life
Jim O’Neil has been advocating for medical aid in dying since the death of his wife of 40 years in 2020. Addie was diagnosed with endometrial cancer in 2018, and by 2019, the disease had destroyed much of her digestive tract, leaving her in severe and unrelenting suffering. She longed for a way to die peacefully on her own terms, sparing herself further pain at the end of life.
“The bill is about choice, a choice only the terminally ill can make for themselves. The safeguards built into it are strong, and there have been no cases of abuse reported in any of the states that allow this. Please, Ohio needs this bill.”
Ohioans Want Aid in Dying
Shara Baumgartel shared the emotional story of her grandfather, Chet, who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia at 88 years old. He hoped to live eight more months, but within two, his body was rapidly deteriorating, and he transitioned to home hospice.
Chet was ready to die, but he had no options available to relieve the constant pain he was experiencing. Shara knew he would not be able to travel to Vermont, the nearest state with a Death with Dignity law for non-residents. Grandpa Chet died earlier this year without the option of medical aid in dying in Ohio.
He called Shara his “get it done girl” because no matter what he asked, she made it happen. Now, she is asking her fellow Ohioans to do the same: “Let’s get this done. Let’s pass medical aid in dying. Ohio needs this. Ohioans need options.”
You Can Make an Impact on End-of-Life Freedom
Ohioans are speaking out with clarity and compassion: they want the Medical Aid in Dying Act passed this session. You can help make that happen. If you live in Ohio, urge your lawmakers to support the Medical Aid in Dying Act (HB835). If you live outside the state, you can still make a difference by sharing this post with your community.