A New Jersey Assembly committee has advanced legislation to allow terminally ill patients to end their lives with drugs prescribed by doctors.
 

If approved by voters, the measure would apply to patients with up to six months to live.

Bridgewater resident Claudia Burzichelli has stage four lung cancer. She was in tears as she voiced support for the bill.

 “ I would hope that I might have more options than starving myself or taking my life in a violent way, a more compassionate ending.”

Pat Brannigan with the New Jersey Catholic Conference opposes the legislation.

“Medical science is called on to eradicate the illnesses from which we suffer. It is not called on to eradicate the patients who suffer these illnesses.”

While they’re pleased the issue is getting attention, supporters of the measure are uncertain whether it will go to a vote in the full legislature this session.