18 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY NOVEMBER 20-26, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com Life and Death Now that its sunset clause was removed, California’s End of Life Option Act is here to stay. By Bill Monning and Susan Meister FORUM In 2015, California became the fifth state to legalize medical aid-in-dying. It provides that a patient whose physician determines they have less than six months to live can seek a life-ending medication. In October, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 403, meaning the law is no longer subject to renewal—the End Of Life Option Act is here to stay. As a retired lawmaker who co-authored the original bill and an advocate, we sat down to reflect on the fight for the original bill and the change that now makes it permanent. Susan Meister: The End of Life Option Act passed in 2015. Tell us about its history and provisions. Bill Monning: As a co-author of the bill, I was honored to be part of its enactment. Since June of 2016, when it was implemented, through 2024, data collected by the California Department of Public Health shows that 8,242 have qualified for the prescription. Ninety percent of those who used it suffered from cancer. About a third of people who qualify never take it. The bill had some powerful opponents, like the Catholic Church and the California Medical Association. How was their opposition overcome? We also had some powerful supporters, like Dolores Huerta, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and many terminally ill patients who knew they would not live long enough to benefit from the bill but who wanted to win that right for others. Our major grassroots supporter was Compassion and Choices, a nonprofit that has helped to establish similar medical aid in dying laws in 11 states. The amount of polling done in California was significant. Yes. Polls showed support among all Californians. Over 70 percent of Catholics polled favored it. Although the Catholic Church remained opposed, the California Medical Association amended its bylaws to allow doctors to support medical aid in dying. I remember at the time it was being debated, there was a flurry of stories about Brittany Maynard, a young woman who was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a lethal brain cancer with no good treatment options. When her doctors told her she only had a few months to live, she moved to Oregon—at the time, the only state that had a similar law—to access it. Yes, Brittany Maynard and her family were amazing advocates who helped pass the bill in California. Brittany used her final days to educate Californians on the disruption to her family caused by their move to Oregon. The End of Life Option Act is one of the most important legislative advancements I have seen in my lifetime. My one regret is that I could never persuade many of the reporters who covered the issue to stop characterizing it as “physician-assisted suicide.” People who are already dying are not committing suicide! We continue to use Medical Aid in Dying as the more accurate description. Bill Monning is California State Senate Majority Leader Emeritus. Susan Meister is a journalist and founder of the Media Literacy Coalition. OPINION Polls showed support among all Californians. Domenico’s on the Wharf features Cioppino-a house specialty, Boat to Table Wild Alaskan Salmon, Oysters Rockefeller are a sample of the many great menu choices. Also enjoy Fine Wines and Cocktails, Desserts and Great Service. A local favorite celebrating 44 YEARS on Old Fisherman’s Wharf. 50 OLD FISHERMAN’S WHARF MONTEREY • 831-372-3655 www.domenicosmonterey.com Open Daily 11:30am to close Fresh Seafood, Italian Classics, Prime Steaks , with Beautiful Harbor Views. 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