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My Right to Die Memories

This is a story about how two dedicated, caring state lawmakers from polar opposite ends of the political universe came together to pass legislation that will affect millions of Michigan citizens over time: Laws that address right to die, hospice care, and durable power of attorney.

I served in the Michigan House of Representative for 19½ years. One of my major accomplishments was working collaboratively with Republican state Rep. Fred Dillingham (R-Fowlerville), as well as other key stakeholders, on passing Right to Die legislation in 1990. It was not an easy task and took years to pass.

I was a former teacher. Fred was an undertaker. I was a liberal Democrat, Fred a traditional moderate Republican. I was pro-choice and Fred a strong Right to Life supporter. We had little in common and little reason to get to know each other personally.

Our paths began to cross after a traumatic incident in my family’s life. My 72-year-old grandfather, Marshall Catherman, was a farmer and a carpenter who built cabinets and houses around mid-Michigan. He had enjoyed a good life and relished his independence until he had a major stroke. He survived the stroke but was very stricken by the experience and was frightened by the ICU. The technology was more challenging for him than the illness itself and did not want to be kept alive by machines.

My grandfather wanted my dad and I to know that he did not want to be kept alive by machines and technology and to please make sure his wishes were carried out. Months later he suffered a second, more damaging stroke and his competency to make his health care decisions was seriously impacted. Dad and I met with hospital administrators and urged them to withdraw treatment as my grandfather had requested. The administrator refused our request because the law was unclear on whether withdrawing treatment was legal. He told me to go back to Lansing and have the law clarified. Before that happened, my grandfather passed away with his arms tied to the bed so he couldn’t pull the tubes out of his body.

I was determined to make any changes necessary to ensure that people could have control over their health care in such situations. I started by putting together a statewide task force made up of physicians, clergymen, philosophers, hospital administrators, nurses, seniors, and students. Thus began a 16-year journey to clarify the laws relating to the complicated issues surrounding death and dying.

One of the most forceful and astute stakeholders in the process was the Catholic Church and Right to Life, which saw the issue as dangerous as abortion and euthanasia. As expected, Fred Dillingham was opposed to the initial legislation and very effectively carried the water for Right to Life, which was flat out in opposition. The task force sponsored public forums where both health care workers and family members made it clear that the new technology could keep alive a person who was brain dead for years. The topic affected every person and family and the task force began to meet monthly to do research and hear scholarly and families’ testimonials. It was clear something needed to be done but there was little agreement initially on which direction to go. Within a couple of years senior citizen groups made the issue their number one legislative priority.

The task force and I were impressed that Fred Dillingham was looking at the issue from more than one perspective, particularly given his experience as an undertaker. He was particularly interested in developing a hospice care program and supported the task force in a public education campaign.

As time passed, Fred and I developed a mutual, collaborative, friendly, and respectful relationship. He eventually agreed to refrain from linking the right-to-die issue to a bill to outlaw suicide assistance. Because of his knowledge, participation, collaboration and cooperation, right-to-die legislation finally passed and was signed into law in 1990.

Eight years into the process, the Catholic Church and the Right to Life agreed to sanction the licensing of hospice care. It took another eight years to pass the Durable Power of Attorney legislation. I’m proud to say that Fred and I became good friends in the process and continue to stay in contact. It is this type of commitment to solving problems on behalf of our constituents that we need much more of in today’s hyper-partisan political climate.

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Fritz Benson
Michael Ranville

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David Waymire
Kathy Hoffman