California

D.C. Council Holding Hearing on ‘Death With Dignity' Bill

D.C. Council members held a hearing Friday on a bill that would allow an adult with a terminal illness to get medication to end his or her life.

Almost 70 people testified before members of the Health and Human Services Committee on the so-called "Death with Dignity Act.''

The bill would let adults who have had two doctors confirm they have fewer than six months to live get the medication.

Individuals testifying in favor of the legislation included Susan Farris, a D.C. resident with Stage 4 breast cancer, and Dan Diaz, the husband of Brittany Maynard.

"The only thing that gives me any comfort is to know that when the time comes that I'm toward dying and suffering so much that I can then choose a more kinder, compassionate death," Fariss said.

Maynard became a national advocate for right-to-die legislation after she was diagnosed with brain cancer. Maynard moved from California to Oregon, which has a right-to-die law, to end her life in November 2014.

The legislation being considered in D.C. is similar to Oregon's law.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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