Weeks 7 & 8/2019 in the Death with Dignity Movement

In the two weeks from February 11 to February 24, 2019:

• New Mexico House of Representatives Judiciary Committee passed the End of Life Options Act 9 to 3.
• The Maryland End-of-Life Options Act was heard in the House Health and Government Operations Committee and the Senate. Meanwhile, a Goucher College poll showed 62 percent of Marylanders favor the pending legislation.
• A death with dignity bill was introduced in Nevada, bringing the total number of assisted dying bills this session to 14.
• The Montana State House passed a bill criminalizing physician aid in dying.
• A death with dignity bill was introduced in Arkansas, for the first time in state history.

Arkansas

• “Dan Douglas proposes law to help terminally ill speed death,” Arkansas Times, 2/20/2019
• “2019 Session: Bill would give ‘death with dignity’ option to terminally ill,” KARK-NBC, 2/21/2019
• “Bill would give ‘death with dignity’ option to terminally ill,” Fox 16, 2/21/2019
• “Arkansas lawmaker files bill that would legalize physician-assisted suicide,” KATV-ABC, 2/21/2019
• “Doctor-aided death is focus of Arkansas lawmaker’s bill,” Arkansas Democrat Gazette, 2/21/2019

Maryland

• “It’s time to make medically-assisted suicide legal in Maryland,” Baltimore Sun, 2/13/2019
• “Polarizing ‘End-of-Life’ Bill Returns in Legislature,” Bethesda Magazine, 2/13/2019
• “Retired radio host Diane Rehm describes husband’s ‘agony,’ supports Maryland medically assisted suicide bill,” Baltimore Sun, 2/15/2019
• “‘Promise me you will help me’: Md. lawmakers hear death with dignity testimony,” WTOP, 2/15/2019
• “Maryland Lawmakers Wrestle With End Of Life Options Act,” CBS Baltimore, 2/15/2019
• “End Of Life Option Act Stirs Controversy In Md. General Assembly,” CBS Baltimore, 2/15/2019
• “Supporters of medically assisted suicide bill say it’s about right to choose,” WBAL-NBC, 2/16/2019
• “62 Percent Of Marylanders Polled Support Aid In Dying Bill,” CBS Baltimore, 2/19/2019
  
• “Other states have pioneered death with dignity. Maryland should follow suit.” Washington Post, 2/20/2019
• “Maryland makes 4th try at aid-in-dying bill,” Star Democrat, 2/23/2019

Montana

• “Montanans deserve to keep right to death with dignity,” Independent Record, 2/12/2019
• “Don’t criminalize medical aid in dying for terminally ill patients,” Missoulian, 2/21/2019
• “Guest opinion: Medical aid in dying for terminally ill Montanans,” Billings Gazette, 2/21/2019

Nevada

• “Las Vegas senator brings back assisted suicide bill,” Las Vegas Review Journal, 2/14/2019
• “Assisted suicide bill set to come before Nevada lawmakers,” Las Vegas Sun via Associated Press, 2/24/2019

New Mexico

• “It’s Okay to Be for Death with Dignity,” Grant County Beat, 2/11/2019
• “Full House to vote on medical aid in dying bill,” Santa Fe New Mexican, 2/13/2019
• “End-of-Life Options Bill Passes Judiciary, Heads to House Floor for Vote,” Debbie Armstrong 4 NM, 2/13/2019
• “‘Aid-in-dying’ bill heads to the House floor,” Albuquerque Journal, 2/13/2019
  

New York

• “Letter: Medical aid in dying is safe and humane,” Albany Times Union, 2/11/2019
• “Cahill presses for NY state study of assisted suicide,” Daily Freeman, 2/13/2019
• “LETTER: No need for study before approving ‘medical aid in dying’ proposal,” Daily Freeman, 2/15/2019
• “LETTER: ‘Medical aid in dying’ has been thoroughly vetted,” Daily Freeman, 2/15/2019
• “Medical aid in dying respects a patient’s rights,” Santa Fe New Mexican, 2/16/2019

Around the U.S.

• Hawaii: “Understanding Our Care, Our Choice,” Hawaii Tribune Herald, 2/24/2019
• North Carolina: “Respecting freedom and dignity at the end of life,” News & Observer, 2/23/2019