Re “A right to die: Irresponsible policy lacks much needed oversight” (May 18): California League of United Latin American Citizens director Jacob Sandoval’s opposition to the bill making the End of Life Option Act permanent was surprising. Sandoval gripes off-target against the state’s high rate of hospice fraud, poor Medi-Cal reimbursement rates, incomplete data reporting and reports that never see the light of day.
However, the California Department of Public Health has published extensive annual reports on the End of Life Option Act from 2016 to present. It confirms that Sandoval is correct that people utilizing the law are mainly affluent, highly educated and White. Does Sandoval want more low-income, less educated and people of color to do the same? The thrust of his opinion suggests the opposite.
A more effective use of Sandoval’s voice would be to assure that the dangers he cites, like cost-driven denials by insurance carriers, structural discrimination and predatory conduct, are reduced in our health system. People in the process of dying deserve a choice.
— Lynn D. Covarrubias, Bonita
