Massachusetts lawmaker to propose physician-assisted death law in January

State Sen. Joanne Comerford said she will sponsor a bill in January to allow someone with a terminal diagnosis of six months or fewer to receive physician assistance with death, Connecticut Public reported Dec. 23.

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Recently, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that the state constitution does not protect the right for physicians to prescribe a lethal dose of medication to terminally ill, mentally competent adults. However, the court left open the possibility of the state Legislature exploring the issue.

A statewide poll conducted last spring found almost 80 percent of residents believe a mentally sound adult with an incurable terminal illness should be allowed to get help from a physician to die, according to the report.

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