California OKs Assisted Suicide, What Does It Mean For Maryland?

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ)--Should terminally ill patients have the right to die?

Maryland lawmakers are trying to navigate the controversy that has gained renewed attention, as California passes its own death with dignity law this week.

The discussion has been going on for years, but a bill in the General Assembly this year shows just how far apart the two sides are.

WJZ's Pat Warren has more on the debate in Annapolis.

It was an emotional debate this year.

Famous athlete OJ Brigance and determined advocate Kelly Lange face life and death decisions on a level playing field and come to different conclusions.

"I want to go holding my husband's hand with my own control, not being overdosed on morphine by my hospice team, not with a gun which I don't own anyway," said Kelly Lange, right to die advocate.

Former Ravens linebacker OJ Brigance diagnosed with ALS in 2007 has the opposite view: using translating technology he told the senate committee this year, "I did not create my life so I have no right to negate my life."

In March of this year the right-to-die bill was withdrawn when the path to a vote became too difficult to navigate. While a legislative work group seeks answers to the difficult questions, California passes its own right to die law.

Warren: "Do you think the California decision is going to put pressure on lawmakers?

"I think the point is, Maryland is not California," said Mary Ellen Russell, Maryland Catholic Conference.

The Maryland Catholic Conference is part of a coalition concerned about Maryland's next move.

"Including disability advocates, elder abuse lawyers, certainly members of the medical community, suicide prevention groups that have grave concerns about the legislation," Russell said.

Compassion and choices supports the bill, which allows doctors to prescribe lethal doses of drugs to end a patient's life.

Rockville resident Alexa Frazier says her father had no humane choice.

Then, he shot himself.

5 states now allow physician-assisted suicide.

The Maryland work group meets again in December.

House Speaker Michael Busch says he supports the concept.

Senate President Mike Miller and Governor Hogan have both said they see it both ways.