The 2020 legislative session of the Maryland General Assembly began today and we again expect that legislation will be filed that seeks to legalize physician-assisted suicide (PAS). This year would mark the 5th time that such legislation would be filled in Maryland, but thanks to your efforts each year, proponents of PAS have failed every...
Read MoreAs 2019 draws to a close, we want to thank all of our coalition members who dedicated their time and talents to defeat physician-assisted suicide (PAS) in Maryland. Year after year in Maryland, we have consistently seen a bill proposed that fails to address any of the concerns raised in legislative hearings and in various...
Read MoreThe American Medical Association (AMA) is set to vote on physician-assisted suicide at its annual meeting this coming June 8th – 12th in Chicago. The AMA has long upheld its opposition to PAS, but at last year’s annual meeting, Delegates voted to reject the AMA’s Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs (CEJA) thoughtful recommendation to...
Read MoreWe have some great news to share with you: The Senate voted to defeat the physician-assisted suicide bill, which effectively stops the bill for this year! The final vote was 23-23, meaning it could not advance. This would not have been possible if it weren’t for all of the help and support that you contributed...
Read MoreThanks to your vocal opposition, the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee has been delayed in voting on the proposed physician-assisted suicide legislation – Senate Bill 311. However, our fight is not over. The Committee is now planning to vote TOMORROW on the bill and we need your help again. In advance of this vote, we need...
Read MoreCompassion and Choices, the out-of-state interest group that has been pushing for the legalization of physician-assisted suicide in Maryland, sent out a press release this morning urging the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee not to adopt any “excessive amendments.” Of the amendments that this out-of-state group has deemed “excessive,” the most troubling is one that requires...
Read MoreWe need your help! Supporters of physician-assisted suicide are actively mobilizing their members to influence the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee before they vote this week on the proposed legislation – House Bill 399 and Senate Bill 311. They are trying to flood the Committee with letters of support, and we need to do the same....
Read MoreThe Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee is planning to hold a vote early this week on the proposed physician-assisted suicide legislation – House Bill 399 and Senate Bill 311. If the bill secures enough votes to pass out of Committee, it will be up for a vote before the entire Senate very soon. In advance of...
Read MoreThis Friday, March 1st, the House Health and Government Operations and Judiciary Committees are scheduled to hold a joint vote on the proposed physician-assisted suicide legislation – House Bill 399. If the bill secures enough votes to pass out of Committee, it will be up for a vote before the entire House of Delegates as...
Read MoreAs the Maryland General Assembly continues to debate legislation (HB.399 and SB.311) on physician-assisted suicide, we wanted to revisit a topic that we feel deserves renewed attention: how “death with dignity” really happens. This is crucial for legislators and Maryland residents to understand, as it both translates to the reality of a patient ending his...
Read More