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BOSTON (State House News Service) - Grieving family members who have watched the agonizing, slow deaths of their loved ones clashed with members of the disability community and conservative groups over the prospect of legalizing medical aid in dying during a hearing Friday, resurfacing conflicting emotions that have contributed to the legislation being stalled on Beacon Hill for over a decade.
Proposals from Reps. Jim O'Day and Edward Philips and Sen. Jo Comerford (H 2246 / S 1331) would allow consenting patients who are terminally ill and expected to die within six months to obtain medicine to "bring about a peaceful death."
The bills contain "rigorous safeguards" for patients and physicians to ensure that individuals, including those with disabilities, are not coerced into choosing to end their lives prematurely as they experience pain and suffering, Comerford told the Joint Committee on Public Health.
"The bill, titled End of Life Options, is meant to emphasize that this bill offers a compassionate option to mentally capable patients with terminal conditions to choose a peaceful and humane death with dignity," said Comerford, who noted that Gov. Maura Healey supports the legislation.
Written By Alison Kuznitz/SHNS
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