CA assembly committee approves death with dignity bill
Legislation that would allowthe terminally ill to obtain life-ending drugs from their physicianswas approved by an Assembly committee Tuesday as supporters made theirfourth attempt to get the proposal to the governor’s desk. The Judiciary Committee’s 7-3 vote marked the third time the panel has approved essentially the same bill since 1999. The two previous measures died on the Assembly floor, and athird bill failed in the Senate. But supporters have some additionalclout this year. Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, D-Los Angeles, hassigned on as a co-author, which could assure the proposal of passingthe Assembly. “I’m saying the prognosis (for the bill) is healthy,” anotherco-author, Assemblywoman Patty Berg, D-Eureka, said after the vote.”I’m saying the prognosis is we’re going to win this one.” Even if the bill makes it out of the Legislature, it couldface a veto by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has said the issueshould be decided by voters rather than the Legislature and governor.