http://wtop.com/maryland/2016/03/maryland-right-to-die-measure-could-have-committee-vote/
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — A Maryland senator has withdrawn a measure to
allow terminally ill residents to legally end their lives with drugs
prescribed by a doctor.
[The bill, SB 418, would have legalized assisted suicide and euthanasia as those terms are traditionally defined]*
Sen. Ron Young, a Frederick County Democrat, said he withdrew the
bill Thursday, when it became clear the measure did not have the votes
in committee....
The
bill stalled last year, but supporters hoped adding some safeguards
would help.
Young says he doubts he will try again next year, because he says
committee opponents are “just totally inflexible on it.” Opponents cited
concerns that vulnerable people like the developmentally disabled could
be pressured to end their lives.
* See memo, pp. 1, 8-10; click here for the appendix.
Steve Goldenberg, Sara Myers and Eric Seiff, who are all terminally ill, said they want nothing more than to be able to die in peace.
But for that, they said they need a little help, and don’t want their doctors to face any flak.
But state civil judge Joan Kenney said that while she was sympathetic to their plight, their doctors would have to stay on the sidelines.
Kenney said in her ruling that the U.S. Supreme Court has already found that New York state laws prohibit assisted suicide, and the statutes are not in violation of a patients civil rights.
“In New York, as in most states, it is a crime to aid another to commit or attempt suicide,” Kenney said in her ruling. “But patients may refuse lifesaving medical treatment.”