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Advocates For Assisted Suicide Push For NY Law

Advocates of medically assisted suicide want New York lawmakers to pass legislation authorizing terminally ill patients to request drugs to end their lives. But they acknowledge the measure faces significant challenges.

The proposal would require two physicians to certify that the requesting patient suffers from a terminal illness and is competent to make the decision. Physicians could refuse to agree to the request for any reason.

Supporters say the bill gives suffering patients the freedom to end their lives with dignity but has safeguards to prevent abuse.

Opponents say the proposal is too loose and could lead to heirs encouraging ill relatives to kill themselves.

Both sides came to the state Capitol on Tuesday to lobby lawmakers.

© 2016 AP

Dave Lucas is WAMC’s Capital Region Bureau Chief. Born and raised in Albany, he’s been involved in nearly every aspect of local radio since 1981. Before joining WAMC, Dave was a reporter and anchor at WGY in Schenectady. Prior to that he hosted talk shows on WYJB and WROW, including the 1999 series of overnight radio broadcasts tracking the JonBenet Ramsey murder case with a cast of callers and characters from all over the world via the internet. In 2012, Dave received a Communicator Award of Distinction for his WAMC news story "Fail: The NYS Flood Panel," which explores whether the damage from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee could have been prevented or at least curbed. Dave began his radio career as a “morning personality” at WABY in Albany.
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