SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — As the clock ticks down toward the end of spring session, Democratic lawmakers hope to pass a plan to allow anyone dying of a terminal illness within six months to have the option of medically-assisted death.
Medical aid in dying is a trusted and time-tested medical practice that is part of the full spectrum of end-of-life care, including hospice and palliative care.
Experts told the House Executive Committee Friday that medical aid in dying is approved in 10 states, and there have been no substantial cases of abuse or coercion since Oregon became the first state with the policy in 1997.
"While we respect all voices in this debate, we believe that the movement for bodily autonomy for everyone, including those living with disabilities, must now include a full range of options when one is facing a terminal medical diagnosis," said Khadine Bennett with the ACLU of Illinois.
The House version of this plan has 15 Democratic co-sponsors, but the plan would need support from 60 Democrats before Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch allows for a floor vote.
The controversial topic has been challenging for lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and advocates representing terminally-ill patients and people with disabilities.
Rep. Bill Hauter, an emergency room doctor, said the Illinois State Medical Society recently voted as an organization to oppose physician-assisted suicide.
"What’s the option for someone who has an extremely rare cancer with extremely expensive treatment," Hauter asked. "What is their option going to be when their insurance company says you have a terminal diagnosis, the cheapest care for you would be you should consider suicide?"
Meanwhile, a Senate version of the legislation could come up for a floor vote as early as next week.
Sen. Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) filed the legislation after dealing with both her mother and father’s deaths. She told colleagues in February that they both suffered with extreme pain before they died.
"In those weeks when she was dying, I was sitting at the edge of her bed and she reaches over and grabs my arm and just says, ‘Linda, please don’t make this last any longer,’" Holmes said.
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