Bill that would allow terminally ill to seek help dying on brink of passage

SANTA FE — Amid tears and tense debate, the state Senate adopted legislation Monday that would allow terminally ill New Mexicans to seek a doctor’s help to end their lives, moving the proposal to the brink of final passage.

The measure, House Bill 47, passed the House last month, but the Senate made amendments to the legislation before Monday’s vote — changes that will have to go back to the House for agreement.

The bill has triggered some of the most emotional debate of the session.

Legislators shared tears Monday as they spoke about the anguish of losing a loved one. The bill also attracted testimony in committee hearings from patients with terminal illnesses and family members who described listening as a relative begged for help ending their life.

“For those who are suffering unbearably at the end of life,” Democratic Sen. Liz Stefanics of Cerrillos said of the proposal Monday, “it provides a measure of control.”

She is one of five Democratic legislators sponsoring the bill.

But opponents questioned whether patients might be pressured or coerced into suicide, perhaps by family members. They also said the state shouldn’t make it easier to end a life.

“This really bothers me,” Sen. William Sharer, R-Farmington, said as he urged rejection of the bill.

“Human life has value, even up to the end.”

Under the proposal, a doctor could issue a prescription for life-ending medication only after determining the person had the mental capacity to make such a decision.

The patient would have to be able to self-administer the medicine, and only patients with an illness likely to kill them within six months would be eligible. A 48-hour waiting period to get the prescription filled would be required, with narrow exceptions.

The bill passed 24-17 after about 2 1/2 hours of debate.

Three Democrats crossed party lines and joined Republicans to vote “no” — Pete Campos of Las Vegas, George Muñoz of Gallup and Benny Shendo of Jemez Pueblo.