The Minnesota Legislature began discussing on Thursday the question of whether or not the state should permit physician-assisted suicide.

The House health committee made a rare decision to hold a hearing for the bill before the official start of the legislative session on Feb. 12. Democratic Representative Mike Freiberg, from Golden Valley, who originally introduced a similar proposal in 2015, expressed confidence at a press conference that it will be passed by the House this year. He stated that the success of similar laws in states like Oregon and Washington, where they are only used by a small number of patients with terminal illnesses, proves their effectiveness.

Nancy Unde, a resident of Corcoran, was informed by medical professionals in late 2022 that she has a severe type of brain cancer. In a statement to the press, she expressed her desire to have the option to peacefully and painlessly end her life on her own terms.

Unde stated that this legislation has been under consideration by the Minnesota legislature for a decade now and it is imperative that action is taken. As I envision the end of my life, I hope to have the chance to bid farewell and pass away peacefully. I am grateful for the availability of hospice care as an alternative. I intend to utilize it for the highest level of comfort possible. However, if it proves insufficient, I desire the choice to pass away peacefully in my sleep.

Ten states and the District of Columbia currently permit some type of physician-assisted death, with advocates aiming to gain approval in additional states this year. Oregon was the initial state to approve the practice in 1994. Vermont removed its residency mandate in May of last year, while Oregon plans to do the same in 2022.

Although a bill in New York has faced delays for several years, it is gradually gaining support as more legislators become sponsors. In Connecticut, advocates held a press conference two weeks ago to announce their renewed efforts after the bill passed one committee last year but was halted in another. In recent news, a terminally ill woman from Connecticut brought attention to the issue by traveling to Vermont to end her own life.

The proposed legislation in Minnesota would permit individuals who are 18 years or older and diagnosed with a terminal illness, with a life expectancy of less than six months, to access medications that would allow them to end their own lives. This would only be possible if two providers, one of whom must be a doctor, confirm that the patient meets the necessary qualifications. Patients must also be mentally competent to make healthcare choices and give informed consent, which means those with dementia would not be eligible. Additionally, patients must self-administer the medication. Residency in Minnesota is not a requirement for eligibility under this bill.

According to Freiberg, he is confident about his bill as it currently has approximately 25 supporters. He believes that it aligns with previous legislation promoting individual bodily autonomy, such as laws for abortion and transgender rights, which were passed last year. However, its chances of success in the Senate are uncertain due to the slim one-seat majority held by Democrats and opposition from one Democratic senator, John Hoffman of Champlin.

Freiberg expressed optimism about receiving support from Republicans. However, no GOP representatives were in attendance at the beginning of the hearing, which had a large audience and a lengthy roster of speakers. They later arrived and proposed amendments to lessen the effects of the bill.

Ending a person’s life on purpose is morally incorrect, regardless of how we label it. Chris Massoglia, from Blaine, speaking on behalf of Americans United for Life, stated, “Suicide is not a form of medical treatment and is no longer necessary with the advancements in palliative and end-of-life care.”

Nancy Utoft, the president of the Minnesota Alliance for Ethical Healthcare, stated during a press conference that the proposed legislation does not have enough measures in place to safeguard the rights of the elderly, disabled, and other vulnerable individuals. She pointed out that current laws already grant individuals the ability to create legally binding end-of-life healthcare directives, access hospice and palliative care, and refuse medical treatment.

Utoft stated that if people were more aware of and followed these rights, there would be less instances of over-treatment, which are often talked about by supporters of assisted suicide. They suggest that policies focused on improving care for all should be given priority.

___

Maysoon Khan, a writer for the Associated Press in Albany, New York, contributed to this report.