Md. Del. Mizeur Calls for Legal Physician-Assisted Suicide

Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Del. Heather Mizeur wants to legalize physician-assisted suicide for terminally ill patients in Maryland.

Mizeur says her proposal would resemble laws in Oregon, Washington and Vermont. Doctors could prescribe drugs to patients who want to end their lives, but patients would have to administer the drug themselves.

Oregon's Death with Dignity law has been in place since 1997. Seventy-one state residents used it to end their lives last year.

The proposal is part of a plan Mizeur announced Wednesday to promote health and safety for Maryland seniors. She says the state should encourage seniors to decide on treatment wishes in case they end up in intensive care units. As the elderly population grows, she says people would benefit from living wills and establishing durable power of attorney.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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