* Some background on what California is facing is here and here.
That CBS News story about Mrs. Pritzker is here.
* Also, the Tribune has a story today entitled “Hearing on ‘right to die’ bill put on hold as legislators work on changes”…
A hearing on legislation that would allow terminally ill people to end their lives with the help of a physician was postponed Wednesday as lawmakers sought more time to refine the proposal, which advocates are again pushing after failing to get a version through the General Assembly last year.
The measure would legalize medical aid in dying, often referred to as physician-assisted suicide or medically-assisted death, allowing mentally competent, terminally ill adults the right to access life-ending prescription medication.
If a bill is passed this year and signed by Gov. JB Pritzker, Illinois would join 10 other states, among them Oregon, California, Colorado and Hawaii, as well as Washington, D.C., in allowing medical aid in dying.
The legislation, filed by state Sen. Linda Holmes, an Aurora Democrat, was pulled from the agenda of a Senate Executive Committee hearing as lawmakers sought to add at least one amendment. Details over how the bill would be changed were not clear.
From an advocate yesterday…
Amendments were requested on the bill running up to this morning. We have always said we are willing to work to make the bill stronger with interested parties who have language. We would rather delay today and get a bill that can move quickly rather than be caught up in back and forth to the committee.
