Death With Dignity Bill Introduced In Minnesota

(KNSI) – Minnesota could soon have its own version of the Oregon Death with Dignity Act.

A bill recently introduced at the state capitol would allow terminally ill adults who are mentally capable and have under six months to live to make the decision to be euthanized. They would be prescribed a medication that would be self-administered. The bill would not force the choice on patients and allows for hospitals, nurses, pharmacies, and physicians to opt-out.

Advocates for the bill held a rally Thursday to show support for the measure. The group Compassion and Choices says euthanasia is not used all that often, even though nearly two dozen states have approved it. It says fewer than 5,200 people have opted for medical aid in dying nationwide.

Dr. Joanne Roberts says, “As a person who has death on my horizon, and having seen the law play out in other states, I should be able to make my own end-of-life choices and Minnesotans should not be denied this safe and well-tested option.”

Detractors of the bill say that human life has value in all stages and the minimum of managed hospice care is what all people are due. Officials with the Roman Catholic Church say the story of the Good Samaritan provides a guidepost for how to deal with terminally ill patients.

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