Lawmakers declined to move a bill from committee to general file April 4 that would allow terminally ill patients to access aid-in-dying medications. The bill was heard by the Judiciary Committee on Feb. 24 but the committee has taken no action on it.<\/p>\n
Under LB1056, introduced by Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers, an adult diagnosed with a terminal illness with less than six months to live and capable of making his or her own medical decisions could request a prescription for aid-in-dying medication. The medication would be self-administered by the patient.<\/p>\n
Chambers filed a motion to place the bill on general file so it could be considered by the full Legislature despite being held in committee. He said LB1056 offers a person diagnosed with a terminal illness the opportunity to maintain his or her dignity during the last six months of life.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the government to withhold from such a person the right and means to carry out his or her final decision is totally unjustified, inexcusable and unacceptable,\u201d he said. Depriving a person of that choice because the decision does not \u201csit well\u201d with others is insensitive and cruel, Chambers said.<\/p>\n
Grand Island Sen. Mike Gloor opposed the motion to place the bill on general file. He said medical providers should be given time to fully realize advances made in end-of-life care.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a science here that ensures people do not have to suffer in any pain,\u201d Gloor said. \u201cWe do not need to make the leap to assisted suicide.\u201d<\/p>\n
An attending physician would determine if the patient requesting aid-in-dying medication has a terminal illness, has made the request voluntarily and is qualified to receive the medication. Upon reaching a qualifying determination, the attending physician would refer the patient to both a consulting physician for confirmation of diagnosis and a mental health professional for confirmation of mental capacity capable of making medical decisions.<\/p>\n
The motion to place LB1056 on general file failed on a 9-28 vote.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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