California Gov. Jerry Brown Signs End-of-Life Act

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California has become the fifth state in the nation to approve assisted suicide by terminally ill patients. Governor Jerry Brown signed the measure that will allow doctors to prescribe life-ending medication if two physicians agree the patient is mentally competent and has no more than six months to live. The bill was introduced after the high-profile campaign of Brittany Maynard, a 29-year-old cancer patient who moved from California to Oregon last year to end her life. Some people of faith supported the measure, but it was strongly opposed by several religious groups, including the Catholic Church.

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