D.C. Council approves physician-assisted suicide

The D.C. Council on Tuesday approved the legislation that aims to authorize physicians/doctors to prescribe lethal doses of medication to terminally ill patients to help them get rid of untreatable agony.

Sponsored by Democrat Mary M. Cheh, the “Death with Dignity Act” got the preliminary approval in an 11-2 vote. The opposing votes were cast by Ward 7 Democrat Yvette Alexander and Ward 1 Democrat Brianne Nadeau.

The two opponents argued that the bill doesn’t contain enough safeguards against the possible abuse or medical error. They added that the bill would create a climate of distrust between doctors and patients.

However, Ms. Cheh rebutted those concerns, saying they are baseless and without foundation. She stressed that there are strong protections in this bill against any potential abuse.

Supporting the bill, she said, “These are baseless fears, and no matter how earnestly they may be held, no matter how often they may be repeated, they are without foundation. There are sturdy protections in this bill against the parade of horribles that have been trotted out.”

The D.C. Council will have to vote one more time to pass the bill, which is expected as early as Nov. 15th, before it goes to Mayor Muriel Bowser for final approval.