Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1997. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
San Francisco Chronicle - The Voice of the West, 901 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94119 - Thursday, October 9, 1997 - Page A28
Greg Lucas, Chronicle Sacramento Bureau
The measure does not affect prisoners serving sentences of life without parole or those facing the death penalty.
"This bill will save the state money. But that's not the only reason it's good law. This is the right way, the compassionate way, to treat some prisoners who are about to die," said the bill's author, Assemblyman Antonio Villaraigosa, D-Los Angeles.
The governor has vetoed similar measures twice.
Sean Walsh, Wilson's press secretary, said the governor reversed himself and signed the bill because "he believes that an individual who poses no security threat to the public should be allowed to die with his family -- and, quite frankly, not cost the state hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical and security costs."
The Republican governor has until Monday to complete action on more than 700 bills sent by the Democratic-majority Legislature before it adjourned in September.
In getting Wilson to sign his bill, Villaraigosa argued that care for a terminally ill inmate is substantially higher than the cost of housing a healthy inmate: $75,000 annually versus $21,000.
Villaraigosa also made the rules for releasing a prisoner tougher. Previously, doctors could argue for compassionate release of inmates who were terminally ill or "seriously incapacitated." The requests were granted on a case-by- case basis, and there was no time threshold for the inmate's death.
Under Villaraigosa's bill, the inmate must be terminally ill and have six months or less to live.
Many of the potential beneficiaries of the new law are AIDS patients. The bill was sponsored by LIFE, which describes itself as "California's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and HIV/AIDS lobby."
971009
SC971002
Copyright © 1997 - San Francisco Chronicle Press. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the San Francisco Chronicle, Permissions Desk, 901 Mission Street, San Franciso, CA 94103. You may also send a fax to (415) 495-3843, or an email message to chronperm@sfgate.com. http://www.sfgate.com.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1997. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 1997. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .