Maine group pushes physician-assisted suicide measure

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - A Maine organization that supports physician-assisted suicide is pushing for a statewide referendum on the issue next year.

The Portland Press Herald reports Maine Death with Dignity organizers visited polling stations throughout the state Tuesday to collect signatures for the proposed ballot question. Organizers say the measure will be modeled after an Oregon law that allows terminally ill patients to take medicine given by a doctor in order to end their lives.

Maine Death with Dignity steering committee chair Valerie Lovelace says the group just wants to give Mainers the chance to vote on the measure. Lovelace says there’s “overwhelming support” behind the proposal.

Legislators in 2017 rejected a bill that would have allowed physician-assisted suicide.

So-called assisted suicide is legal in Washington D.C. and six states, including Vermont.

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Information from: Portland Press Herald, http://www.pressherald.com