Supporters of withdrawn aid-in-dying legislation “not giving up”

A measure in Maryland to allow terminally ill residents to legally end their lives with drugs prescribed by a doctor was withdrawn yesterday. However, supporters say they’re not giving up.

Senator Ron Young said he withdrew the bill because the legislation didn’t have enough votes in committee.

Opponents had concerns that vulnerable people like the developmentally disabled could be pressured by others to end their lives.

Donna Smith, the legislative and field manager for Compassion and Choices which is a non-profit that supported the measure, believes this decision to withdraw the measure is just a minor setback.

Smith continues, “In the state’s where the bill has passed like California and Vermont, it took multiple tries. It takes multiple tries for any bill to get passed. We were really on the fast track in Maryland and we will continue to push for this bill we’re not going anywhere.”

In a recent poll conducted by Compassion and Choices, the organization found that two thirds of Maryland voters support the aid-in-dying legislation.