The Colorado House Judiciary Committee narrowly approved a right-to-die bill for the state following a contentious hearing. Proponents argues that the bill will allow those facing certain death at the hands of often painful and debilitating diseases the dignity to die at a moment of their own choosing. They also point to the Oregon right-to-die law which has been effect for nearly two decades as an example of how the legislation will bring comfort to those facing a capricious death and allow them to pass in a place of their choosing. But critics have jumped on aspects of the bill as not offering enough safeguards against coercion by heirs who seek a quick to avoid massive medical bills for end of life care. Particularly, the ability of a witness to also be a beneficiary under the terminal patient’s estate. The bill will now head to the House floor for debate although a similar measure was recently voted down in a Senate committee.
See Emma Gannon, Colorado Assisted Suicide Bill Advances, Courthouse News, February 5, 2016.
Special thanks to Brian Cohan (Attorney at Law, Law Offices of Brian J. Cohan, P.C.) for bringing this article to my attention.
