The D.C. Council on Tuesday preliminarily approved a bill to allow terminally ill patients to end their own life.
The measure passed 11-2, but it still has to get through a final vote, be signed by Mayor Muriel Bowser and be approved by Congress to become law.
If approved, it would enable anyone 18 years old and above in the nation’s capital to apply to get medication to end their life if they have six months or less to live.
Similar assisted suicide laws are in place in Oregon, California, New Mexico and several other states. Colorado is considering a measure in a ballot referendum next week, and state legislatures in more than 20 states recently have debated the issue.
Council members supporting the bill said it gives patients a choice.
“What this bill does is allow those who have a terminal disease and have less than six months to live make their own decision about how they want to end their lives,” said Councilman Robert White. “This bill is not a way to save money and it does not devalue life.”
Supporters also touched on concerns from some citizens and advocacy groups that the bill could enable coercion of seniors to prematurely end their lives.
“These are baseless fears,” said Councilwoman Mary Cheh. “No matter how earnestly they may be held or repeated, they are without foundation.”
Cheh pointed to Oregon’s law, which has been on the books for more than a decade. She said there is no data there to prove the claims.
“People might claim there is going to be misuse of the process but none of them stand up to data,” she said.
Councilwomen Yvette Alexander and Brianne Nadeau voted against the measure.
Alexander said it would be better to hold a ballot measure on the bill to give D.C. residents the final say.
“I do not believe this is a decision that should be made by the 13 members of the council,” she said. “This is a matter best left to residents.”
Bowser has not taken an official position on the bill.
