House passes aid-in-dying legislation [View all]

SANTA FE — For a few hours Friday night, New Mexico legislators shared stories about watching their loved ones die.

In a debate on the House floor, Democratic Rep. Deborah Armstrong of Albuquerque walked her colleagues through the final days of life of her father in law and, later, a close friend.

Her daughter, Erin, now faces an inoperable brain tumor.

“This is difficult,” Armstrong said of the debate. But “it’s far more difficult to live it than it is to hear about it or talk about it.”

The tearful debate culminated in 39-27 vote to endorse a proposal that would allow terminally ill patients to seek a doctor’s help to end their life — the first time a medical aid-in-dying bill has passed a chamber of the state Legislature. The legislation, House Bill 47, now heads to the Senate.

Read more: https://www.abqjournal.com/2361523/house-passes-aid-in-dying-legislation.html
(subscription required)