Doctors speak against ‘assisted suicide’ bill

SANTA FE — A group of doctors and other health care professionals gathered inside the Capitol on Tuesday to speak out against legislation that would allow terminally ill patients in New Mexico to seek a doctor’s help to end their lives.

They said “assisted suicide” could lead to elderly or incapacitated patients feeling pressure to end their lives for financial reasons. Caretakers might take advantage of them as they seek an inheritance, opponents said.

“It’s the perfect crime,” Rep. Gregg Schmedes, R-Tijeras, said, “and it’s an unnecessary bill that will incentivize people to die early."