Colo. right-to-die bill approved by House panel

A Democrat-led House committee has approved a Colorado right-to-die bill that would provide a legal option for the terminally ill to end their lives.

The House Judiciary Committee passed the bill Thursday after dozens of people testified for and against it.

The legislation now goes to the full House for consideration. But it faces an uphill battle if it reaches the Republican-controlled Senate. A committee there rejected the bill on a party-line vote on Wednesday.

Opponents argue the bill would facilitate doctor-assisted suicide, especially with terminal diagnoses that are wrong.

Supporters say the terminally ill deserve the right to choose when and how to end their suffering. They say states like Oregon have adopted such laws with adequate safeguards against abuse.