PHOENIX (AP/KGUN9-TV) - A Democratic lawmaker has introduced a bill granting terminally ill patients the right to take their own lives with prescription life-ending drugs.
Sen. Barbara McGuire of Kearny says her bill lets patients with an incurable disease and six months left to live request medication to end their lives under the care of a physician.
As baby boomers enter their golden years, end-of-life care has become a greater priority with doctors in California, Oregon, Washington, Vermont and Montana already prescribing life-ending drugs. California Gov. Jerry Brown was the latest governor to sign a "right-to-die" proposal into law in October.
Senate Bill 1136 is likely to face several hurdles. Republicans who control the Legislature are unlikely to back the measure and Gov. Doug Ducey opposes physician-assisted suicide.
Last December the Tucson City Council passed a memorial to support similar legislation.
