Colorado Lawmakers Introducing Right-To-Die Legislation
DENVER (AP) — Colorado Democrats are introducing legislation to allow the terminally ill choose when they die, with the help of doctor-prescribed medication.
Democrats from the House and Senate announced details of the proposal Tuesday, saying dying patients would need two doctors to sign off on their verbal and written request, and the patients must be determined to be mentally competent. They also must be able to administer the life-ending medication on their own.
The debate over whether terminally ill patients should be allowed to end their lives is a national one.
Five states have laws allowing patients to seek aid in dying — Oregon, Washington, Montana, Vermont and New Mexico. Pennsylvania, Wyoming, and California have pending proposals.
Religious organizations oppose such laws because they view them as facilitating suicide.
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