Legislation concerning assisted suicide is currently being debated in nearly 20 states, as the issue continues to gain traction both in the United States and internationally.
At present, nine states have legalized government-administered medically assisted suicide, while a 2009 ruling by the Montana Supreme Court held that such actions are not against public policy or illegal.
California, Colorado, D.C., Hawaii, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, and Vermont already have laws in place that allow euthanasia.
According to Axios, there are pending bills related to this matter in 19 states. Some of these states include Arizona, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Tennessee, and Virginia.
For instance, Virginia recently passed a bill allowing individuals with terminal illnesses to request a “self-administered controlled substance” to end their lives.
This decision was supported by Virginia Democratic Rep. Jennifer Wexton who herself suffers from progressive supranuclear palsy – a neurodegenerative disease.
“There are [thousands of Virginians] dealing with terminal illnesses facing unthinkable challenges and choices because of these devastating health conditions,” she wrote. “That is why this legislation is so critical. It is a vital step allowing Virginians to gain the dignity, freedom, and peace of mind we deserve in the face of a tragic terminal illness like mine.”
Similarly in New York, the state hopes to pass legislation after obtaining support from the New York State Bar Association for the first time, along with a push from Democratic politicians.
“We have momentum like we haven’t seen since the bill was first introduced close to a decade ago,” said Democrat state Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal.
The proposed Arizona bill would grant patients the right to request doctors to abstain from providing “food and liquids” upon their request.
“An adult may prepare a written statement known as a living will to control the health care treatment decisions that can be made on that person’s behalf, including:
1.Hospice care.
2. The use of medications for the management of pain and suffering.
3. How and under what circumstances the ingestion of food and liquids may be limited or discontinued,” the bill states.
Euthanasia was initially legalized in Oregon in 1997, and subsequently in California, Vermont, and Washington state.
On an international scale, countries such as Austria, Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, and Switzerland have all legalized physician-assisted suicide. Colombia, Italy, and Germany have also legalized it but are still in the process of establishing formal procedures.
In Canada specifically, the government recently put a temporary halt on assisted suicide for individuals with mental illnesses. However, this service remains accessible to those who are 18 years old or older.
Notably in the Netherlands, eligibility for assisted suicide extends to children as young as 12 years old.
“Minors may themselves request euthanasia from the age of 12, although the consent of the parents or guardian is mandatory until they reach the age of 16,” a government website explained. “Sixteen and seventeen-year-olds do not need parental consent in principle, but their parents must be involved in the decision-making process.
