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Assisted Suicide Bill Introduced in Delaware Legislature

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DOVER, Del. (AP) - A Delaware lawmaker has reintroduced legislation allowing doctor-assisted suicide.

Democratic Rep. Paul Baumbach of Newark admitted Tuesday that he does not expect to win passage of the legislation, which was tabled in committee two years ago, but wants to continue to shine light on the issue.

The legislation allows an adult diagnosed with a terminal illness and expected to die within six months to request prescription medicine to end his or her life. A consulting physician would have to confirm the attending doctor's diagnosis.

The patient would have to make both oral and written requests and would have to wait at least 15 days after the initial request before receiving the drugs.

The Medical Society of Delaware, keeping with policies of the American Medical Association, opposes the measure.

Don Rush is the News Director at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.