Arthur Boivin has labored in love for his wife, and the result of that work is a recommended one-page, standardized, do-not-resuscitate form to ease the paperwork at the end of life.

On Thursday, the Judiciary Committee voted in support of a bill to establish such a form for terminally ill patients to sign – in consultation with a health care provider – giving them more control over their own life and death. It now moves to the House and Senate for a vote, and we urge approval.

Boivin pushed for this form after his wife Lyanne died last year. She had signed a living will with instructions not to be resuscitated as she died of stomach cancer, but it wasn’t the orange , state-recognized DNR order signed by her physician. Without that form, her dying wishes could not be honored and Boivin does not want another Maine family to live through the anguish that resulted.

We commend Boivin for his efforts. Instead of sinking into despair, he forced change through the legislative process. He did what every citizen is entitled to do but few embrace: He participated in our government for the good of us all.