Video: Testimony gets emotional over End of Life Option Act

A HOUSE DIVIDED, EQUAL NUMBERS
OF THOSE IN FAVOR OF LEGISLATION
ALLOWING TERMINALLY ILL PATIENTS
TO END THEIR LIVES, AND THOSE
OPPOSED.
>> I LOVE LIFE, I LOVE BEING
PARENT TO MY 17-YEAR-OLD S
, WORKING TO BECOME A MINISTER.
DAVID: FOR ALEXA FRASER, T
ISSUE IS INCREDIBLY PERSONAL.
SHE TOLD A JOINT HOUSE COMMITTEE
THE STORY OF HER FATHER WHO,
WITH PARKINSONS, TRIED TO END
HIS OWN LIFE. FIRST WITH PILLS,
THEN CUTTING HIS WRISTS, FINALLY
A GUN.
ALEXA REVEALED SHE HAS A RARE
FORM OF AN AGRESSIVE CANCER.
>> NOW I KNOW WHAT I WILL DIE
OF.
I DON'T KNOW WHEN, BUT I DO KNOW
WHAT WILL TAKE MY LIFE AND I
WON'T BE PRETTY. I WANT THE
ABILITY TO CHOSE A PEACEFU
DEATH WITH MY FAMILY AROUND ME
RATHER THAN ONE FILLED WITH
, PAIN.
DAVID: THE BILL ALLOWS ONLY THE
INDIVIDUAL TO REQUEST MEDICINE
TO END THEIR LIFE. THEY MUST
HAVE A PROGNOSIS THEY WILL LIV
FOR SIX MONTHS OR LESS.
THEY MUST PROVE THEY ARE IN
MARYLA RESIDENT, HAVE THE
MENTAL CAPACITY TO MAKE THE
DECISI, AND MUST REQUEST THREE
TIMES FOR A LIFE-ENDING
PRESCRIPTION.
IT IS SELF ADMINISTERED.
IT HAS BI-PARTISAN SUPPORT.
BALTIMORE COUNTY REPUBLICAN
CHRIS WEST GRAPHICALLY DETAILED
HIS MOTHER-IN-LAW'S DEATH.
>> WE FOUND THE RIGID BODY OF A
WOMAN WHO OBVIOUSLY DIED IN
AGONY.
HER NECK EXTENDED AND HER MOUTH
OPEN, DISTENDED IN MID-GASP.
AND HER EYES WERE BULGING OUT IN
HORROR.
MY WIFE WENT INTO HYSTERICS AND
MY REACTION WAS THIS JUST ISN'T
RIGHT.
DAVID THOSE OPPOSED SAY THE
: LEGISLATION IS FLAWED AND
BEING PUSHED BY THE INSURANCE
INDUSTRY.
>> I THINK THE FINANCIAL
INCENTIVES, I THINK IS WHAT'S
DRIVING THIS BOTH FROM INSURANCE
COMPANIES AND FAMILIES.
DAVID THEY POINT OUT MENTAL
: HEALTH CONDITIONS ARE IGNORED,
IT MAKES SUICIDE SOCIALLY
ACCEPTABLE.
THERE'S NO WAY TO PREDICT AN
ACCURATE PROGNOSIS OF SIX MONTHS
TO LIVE.
AND THERE ARE NO SAFE GUARDS FOR
THE DISABLED.
ONE MARYLAND PHYSICIANS GROUP IS
TAKING A NEUTRAL STAND.
STILL PLENTY OF DOCTORS OPPOSE
ON THE GROUNDS IT VIOLATES THEIR
HYPOCRATIC OATH.
>> ALLOWING PHYSICIANS, NOT
SOMEBODY ELSE, BUT PHYSICIANS TO
ACTUALLY PRESCRIBE SOMETHING

Video: Testimony gets emotional over End of Life Option Act

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