Assembly Health Committee Delays Vote on Assisted Death Bill

An Assembly committee hearing on a bill (SB 128) that would allow some dying patients to end their lives through lethal doses of medication has been delayed until next month amid a lack of necessary support, the Los Angeles Times' "PolitiCal" reports (McGreevy, "PolitiCal," Los Angeles Times, 6/23).

Background on Bill

The End of Life Options Act, by state Sens. Lois Wolk (D-Davis) and William Monning (D-Carmel), would require that:

• Medication is self-administered;
• The patient is mentally competent; and
• Two physicians confirm the prognosis that the patient has six months or less to live (California Healthline, 4/8).

Details of Delay

SB 128 was slated for a vote Tuesday in the Assembly Committee on Health.

However, Wolk agreed to delay the vote until July 7 in order to garner more support for the measure.

Wolk said, "At this point, we feel that without the certain votes in the Assembly health committee today, it is best to postpone the hearing," adding, "We hope that during this time, members of the committee can take more time to consider the bill carefully" ("PolitiCal," Los Angeles Times, 6/23).

Wolk called the delay a "momentary pause" and said the bill's supporters are "disappointed" with the setback (White, "Capitol Alert," Sacramento Bee, 6/23).