Maine lawmakers declined today to follow in the footsteps of Vermont, rejecting a bill that would have allowed physician-assisted suicide in Maine. Winterport independent Rep. Joe Brooks told his fellow House members that he has seen his share of unnecessary suffering among terminally ill family members who simply had no choices other than to wait to die. He says that's why he sponsored a bill allowing terminally ill patients the option of "dying with dignity." "This is a question of choice, this is not a mandate, this is not an issue that is forcing people to die before their time," Brooks said. After nearly an hour of debate, in which some members expressed concerns that end-of-life decisions might not reflect the patient's original intent, lamakers rejected the bill, 95-43. The measure now moves to the Senate.