ST. PAUL, Minn. — A bill that would legalize assisted suicide in Minnesota may have the momentum to pass this upcoming session.
The bill was heard and debated on Thursday by the health committee, and it would make the assisted suicide option available only for patients 18 and over who are terminally ill with a prognosis of six months to live or less. The patient must also be mentally fit.
The bill’s sponsor, Democratic Rep. Mike Freiberg, said he’s confident the bill has the votes to pass from the DFL-led legislature.
Emotional testimony at the Capitol was heard on both sides of the debate.
Nancy Uden was among those at the capitol on Thursday voicing support for the proposed End-of-Life Options Act. She was injured in a car crash that was caused by a seizure. Doctors would soon diagnose her with an aggressive brain cancer.
“I promised my family that I would fight this ugly disease until there is no hope left and my death is inevitable, so if there are no more treatment options, then I deserve more death options,” Uden said.