In Minnesota Women Lead Push For End of Life Reforms

(Adobe Stock via Minnesota News Connection)

(By Mike Moen. Minnesota News Connection) – It’s up in the air whether Minnesota lawmakers will restart debate on end-of-life reforms.

Alongside policy efforts, the women leading the charge for these laws are being recognized this Women’s History Month. Advocacy organization Compassion and Choices hopes more people take notice of the female figures who have educated the public about this topic. End-of-life laws often allow someone with a terminal diagnosis to request lethal medication, so long as certain requirements are met.

Callie Riley, regional advocacy director for the organization, said that in her experience, so many of their storytellers, volunteers and advocates are women.

“Many of them are brought to this work by their loved ones,” she said, “friends, family, folks that they have cared for who have had end-of-life experiences that didn’t meet their needs.”