Assisted suicide legislation came into force on Monday, 17 July 2017, in the US District of Columbia. Patients over the age of 18 with up to 6 months to life can now obtain a prescription for lethal drugs if their case is approved by two doctors.
District of Columbia legislation follows that of Colorado, California, Montana, Vermont and Washington in this respect.
However, Congress Republicans want to ensure that this law is short-lived. On Thursday, 13 July 2017, the Chamber’s Finance Commission approved an amendment presented by Andy Harris, the Republican representative of Maryland, who not only wants to restrict financing for the legislation but would actually like it to be completely rescinded. This amendment must be approved by the full Chamber, the Senate and President Donald Trump.
As far as Andy Harris is concerned, “dying with dignity” legislation is tantamount to the “corruption of medicine” because he believes that “there is nothing dignified about suicide”.
Medical Xpress (18/07/2017)