Right to Die Bill Killed Off in Committee

Posted by Ellyn Santiago. Written and reported by Jayne Keedle. 

A bill that would have allowed mentally-competent, terminally-ill patients the right to choose to request a prescription for medication from their doctors to bring about a humane and dignified death died in committee on April 5.

House Bill 6645 ‘An Act Concerning Compassionate Aid in Dying for Terminally Ill Patients’ would have allowed compassionate aid in dying, supporters say, and given Connecticut residents the freedom to make their own end-of-life choices, rather than placing the burden on others.

Supporters of a bill praised the Connecticut Legislature’s Public Health Committee for its support of the bill and said they hoped legislators who had introduced the bill would keep the public debate on this vital issue moving forward in the coming year.
Legislators removed it from the agenda on Friday to avoid lengthy discussion or filibuster that could jeopardize other vital bills on the day of the committee’s deadline to raise bills.

“Compassionate Aid in Dying legislation in Connecticut has gained widespread support among lawmakers and in the public, and we look forward to getting out into the community to hold informational hearings and get additional input to prepare for next year’s legislation,” Deputy Speaker  Betsy Ritter, D-Waterford, said.

“I want to thank the Committee's leadership and members for taking up this complex and important issue, and we will continue to work towards its passage next year.”

Barbara Coombs Lee, President of Compassion and Choices, said she understands that lawmakers are faced with deadlines and competing issues. 

“This is an important issue that lawmakers need to carefully consider, and we will work with lawmakers to re-introduce a bill next legislative session,” Coombs Lee said.

“Family members, clergy, doctors and nurses came to Hartford last month to show their support for this proposal, and we are confident that it will eventually become law in Connecticut.”

Nearly 100 supporters of the bill packed a public hearing on March 20th, many staying late into the night and early morning hours to deliver testimony. 

“People who suffer at the end of life need legal and compassionate options,” Reverend Douglas Peary of East Haven, said. “I support this bill because individuals and their families need the freedom to choose what is right."