The New Jersey Assembly today passed its own version of Death with Dignity legislation, modeled on Oregon’s 20 year old law, to allow a terminally ill patient to choose the timing and manner of death. The bill passed by a vote of 41-31 in the Assembly, and now heads to the state Senate for approval.
Assemblyman John Burzichelli has championed the bill over the last two years, quietly at first, and then with more urgency as the bill gained momentum. His sister-in-law, Claudia Burzichelli, testified in front of the Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee in favor of the bill, disclosing her own diagnosis of terminal lung cancer.
On his website, Burzichelli says, “Like society, medicine, palliative care and hospice services have changed dramatically since [a similar piece of legislation was introduced in 1978]. While there are many choices available right now that may be right for certain people, there is one more choice, not currently available, that deserves an honest discussion.”
A companion bill awaits attention in the state Senate, but New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has announced his opposition to the bill.
Featured image by mtstradling.
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