A D.C. Council committee narrowly voted to advance a bill that would give terminally ill patients the right to end their lives with the help of a doctor.
The committee voted 3-to-2 Wednesday to send the right-to-die bill to the full council.
It would allow patients with six months or less to live to request lethal medication from their doctors.
Physician-assisted death is legal in five states, and several others are considering legislation. Dan Diaz, the husband of a California woman who moved to Oregon to take life-ending drugs in 2014, has been advocating for the legislation around the country, including in D.C.
Supporters of the bill gathered at city hall on Sept. 22 to advocate for the legislation.
Council member David Grosso voted for the bill, with some reservations. He said in a statement that he's concerned patients with fewer resources will be coerced into ending their lives.
