Posted on 02/15/2007 6:40:26 PM PST by NormsRevenge
SACRAMENTO – Democratic lawmakers on Thursday introduced a bill allowing doctors to prescribe life-ending drugs to terminally ill patients, marking the third such attempt in as many years and drawing a swift response from critics.
“Some people say that this bill is about suicide. It is not,” said Assemblywoman Patty Berg, D-Eureka, one of three co-authors. “Suicide is when you can live but you chose to die. This bill, on the other hand, deals with people who do not have a choice about dying.”
The California Compassionate Choices Act would make California the second state in the nation to allow doctors to prescribe life-ending drugs. It is modeled after an Oregon law upheld last year by the Supreme Court.
A similar bill by Berg last year failed to emerge from committee. Boosting the chances of this year's effort is the endorsement of Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, D-Los Angeles, a Catholic who said both his church and mother do not approve.
“There's no question that this topic stirs a lot emotion and a lot of debate,” Nunez said during a Thursday news conference. “I think when you pare it down to its essence, however, this is about how people are going to live their last days of their life.”
Nunez and Assemblyman Lloyd Levine, D-Sherman Oaks, joined Berg as co-authors.
The bill would allow a physician to prescribe a self-administered, life-ending drug to an adult who requested it, was likely to die within six months and had been found by two doctors to be mentally competent.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has declined to say whether he would sign legislation allowing so-called assisted suicide, saying an issue of such importance should go directly to voters. A governor's spokesman, Aaron McLear, reaffirmed that position on Thursday.
Republicans in the legislature have opposed past efforts to legalize physician-assisted deaths.
Critics said the bill could prompt a broader use of assisted suicide, especially among the elderly and disabled. They say patients who are dying can be treated with pain medication to alleviate any suffering.
“It fundamentally changes the relationship between a doctor and a patient,” said Tim Rosales, spokesman for Californians Against Assisted Suicide. “This bill allows doctors to prescribe a lethal overdose for the sole purpose of someone committing suicide.”
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To which I say to the sponsors of this bill..
You first!
But, hey, I was planning on offing the Old B*tch anyhow! I mean, I'm a Democrat, ain't I?
To which I say to the sponsors of this bill..
You first!
Democrats don't have Old B*thches. They are personal affiliations.
:P
We definitely need to set aside a day where every Democrat who thinks suicide is good is given the opportunity to be shot by Republicans who don't like Democrats.
Once again the "party of death" speaks loud and clear. If they can't kill them in the womb they will settle for killing them when they are older or sick.
They pretty much own ya from cradle to grave anyway, or so it seems.
The slippery slope society
Instead of trying to pass the bill, they should just lead by example....
But the life of murderers must be protected. This is because the Rats know they are murderers.
This must be part of Arnies and Hillaries new healthcare initiative. Kill all of the old and sick folks. Democrats show their true goulish colors. They will say just about anything to avoid the label. Don’t let them. Paint all democrats with the broad bloody brush. Make them taste the blood.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
People on death row got there for a reason. What crime against humanity has an unborn baby committed?
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