Compassion & Choices Statement on CT Judiciary Committee Not Passing Aid-in-Dying Bill on April 11, 2022

Apr 11, 2022

“On behalf of the hundreds of Connecticut residents who have advocated for medical aid in dying to give terminally ill people the option to end unbearable suffering at the end of life, we are truly disappointed with today’s Judiciary Committee vote,” said Compassion & Choices Connecticut Campaign Director Tim Appleton. “We thank the Public Health Committee for their bi-partisan support of the bill; the leadership of the Judiciary Committee for their hard work to bring this legislation to a vote today; and for the Senators who voted in favor. 

“It says a lot about support for medical aid in dying both inside and outside the Capitol that opponents had to resort to a rarely-used parliamentary maneuver to defeat the legislation [not allowing House committee members to vote after Senate committee members voted 5-4 not to pass the bill],” said Appleton. “While medical aid in dying has advanced further this year than ever before, today’s vote will mean immeasurable suffering for terminally ill people who shared their stories with lawmakers, and for whom another legislative session will come too late.”  

“An overwhelming majority of Connecticut residents – 75 percent – support medical aid in dying, and a public vote is important to understanding how to move the issue forward in the future,” concluded Appleton. “Medical aid in dying is authorized in 10 states and Washington, D.C., starting with Oregon 25 years ago, with no evidence of misuse or abuse. We will continue to advocate for passage of legislation in Connecticut.”