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Morning Briefing

Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations

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Thursday, May 31 2018

Full Issue

Legal Limbo Over California's Aid-In-Dying Law Impacts Patients And Doctors

The state's law allowing medical aid-in-dying for terminal patients is on hold for at least another month. A judge refused a stay on his ruling that the measure was illegally passed during a special session of the Legislature. With appeals underway, the uncertainty leaves many questions for the medical community.

San Francisco Chronicle: California’s Right-To-Die Law On Hold For At Least A Month

California’s right-to-die law for terminally ill patients will apparently remain suspended for at least another month after a judge on Wednesday reaffirmed his ruling that the law was illegally considered and passed during a special legislative session on health care. (Egelko, 5/30)

Bay Area News Group: California Right To Die: Judge Denies Effort To Restore Law

A Riverside Superior Court judge on Wednesday morning rebuffed an effort to restore California’s End of Life Options Act, which gives dying patients the right to end life on their own terms. So the state must try again. The next motion — urging the judge to cancel a ruling last week invalidating the law — is set for June 29, a month from now. (Krieger, 5/30)

The Associated Press: Judge Blocked California Law On Life-Ending Drugs. Now What?

A judge has thrown out a 2016 California law allowing terminally ill people to end their lives after finding that the Legislature unconstitutionally approved it during a special session. State Attorney General Xavier Becerra asked an appeals court to block and reverse last week’s decision by Riverside County Superior Court Judge Daniel Ottolia. The court denied the request to immediately block the ruling. But experts say Becerra has other legal options and could ask the state Supreme Court to weigh in to try to restore the law. (Taxin, 5/30)

This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.
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