LETTER: Measure 1: End-of-life rights already protected

There have been many false and misleading claims that Measure 1 will affect advance directives, such as living wills and other end-of-life decisions. That information is not correct. Those false claims also suggest that AARP opposes Measure 1, which also is not true.

Both federal and state laws protect these end-of-life rights for us. In addition, both the U.S. Supreme Court and North Dakota Supreme Court also protect these rights.

Furthermore, our state advanced directives laws — which now are in our Century Code — also protect these rights. Measure 1 cannot undo these laws and court rulings and does not attempt to do so.

Senior adults are especially concerned about end-of-life issues. So, it’s good to know that neither they nor other voters will be influenced by the scare tactics being used to alarm us.

I have worked for 43 years on behalf of older adults in North Dakota, including four years as state president of AARP, a past chairmanship of the North Dakota Matters of Life and Death project, advance directives state task forces and a past chairmanship of a hospital ethics committee.

I am committed to working on behalf of our state’s seniors, making sure they get truthful information on important election issues such as this.

I recently resigned my position as state president of AARP so I can speak out in support of Measure 1, provide correct end-of-life information and keep supplying accurate information to our state’s senior adults.

The response to my decision has been overwhelmingly positive, as most North Dakotans understand the truth about Measure 1.

I hope Herald readers will join me and vote Yes on Measure 1.

Rodger Wetzel

Bismarck, ND

Wetzel resigned Oct. 13 as state president of AARP.