The end-of-life options bill will remain off the table for the rest of this legislative session after a failed attempt on Thursday to bring it back for discussion.

But Rep. Bob Lynn, the prime sponsor of House Bill 254, said he believes the proposal giving terminally ill patients with less than six months to live the option to end their lives with medication is a “good idea” for New Hampshire.

Last year, the bill passed the House but was ultimately killed in the Senate. This time around, it was tabled in a razor-thin 183-182 vote in the House.

“The fact that there is a higher percentage of Republicans and a lower percentage of Democrats this year probably explains the difference,” said Lynn.

This year, Republicans hold a stronger majority in the House with 220 seats to the Democrats’ 177. Last year, the gap was much narrower, with Republicans barely edging out a 201-199 majority.

The debate over the bill hasn’t changed much over the years. Supporters see it as a way for terminally ill patients to take control of their final moments and die with dignity. Opponents argue it could put people with disabilities at risk of exploitation and worry it sends the wrong message by normalizing suicide.

Lynn said it’s still undecided whether the bill will be brought back next session.

“End of life is designed to cover a situation where, unlike suicide, in which a person wants to end their life, people facing a terminal illness they don’t want to die,” said Lynn. “In fact, they would give anything to avoid dying, but they don’t have a choice in the matter and all they want to do is end their suffering and die with dignity.”

Sruthi Gopalakrishnan can be reached at sgopalakrishnan@cmonitor.com.