What States Allow Medically Assisted Suicide?

Assisted suicide is a controversial topic. Here’s a look at what states currently allow medically assisted suicide and what the requirements are.

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Introduction

Understand the legality of medically assisted suicide in the United States In the US, there is no federal law governing physician-assisted suicide (PAS). However, there are several states that have passed their own laws surrounding the practice. As of 2020, these states are:

*Alaska
*Colorado
*Hawaii
*Oregon
*Washington
*Vermont

In each of these states, the patient must be terminally ill with a prognosis of six months or less to live. The patient must also be mentally competent and make the request for PAS themselves. Two witnesses must sign off on the request, and one of them cannot be a relative or heir of the patient. Once all these requirements are met, the doctor can prescribe a lethal dose of medication to the patient.

What is medically assisted suicide?

Medically assisted suicide, also known as physician-assisted suicide, is when a physician provides a person with the means to end their life. This can be done by prescribing a lethal dose of medication or by providing the person with the means to end their life, such as a gun. In some cases, the physician may also be present when the person takes their life.

So far, medically assisted suicide is only legal in a handful of states: Oregon, Washington, Montana, Vermont, and California. In Oregon and Washington, medically assisted suicide has been legal since 1994 and 2009 respectively. Montana’s law was passed by the state legislature in 2009 but was later overturned by the state supreme court. Vermont’s law went into effect in May 2013. And in California, a law legalizing medically assisted suicide went into effect on June 9th, 2016.

The history of medically assisted suicide

The term “medically assisted suicide” (MAS) refers to the help that a medical professional can give to a terminally ill patient who wants to end their life. This can be done through providing the necessary information and resources, or in some cases, directly administering the lethal medication.

The concept of MAS has been around for centuries, but it was only in the late 20th century that it began to gain traction as a legitimate medical practice. In 1990, Oregon became the first state in the US to pass a law permitting MAS, and since then, several other states have followed suit.

Currently, there are nine states in the US that allow MAS: Oregon, Washington, California, Montana, Vermont, New Mexico, Hawaii, Colorado, and Maine. In each of these states, there are specific requirements that must be met in order for MAS to be legal. For example, most states require that the patient has a terminal illness with a prognosis of six months or less to live.

Interestingly, despite the controversial nature of MAS, there is actually broad public support for the practice. A 2017 poll found that 65% of Americans believed that terminally ill patients should have the right to end their lives with medical assistance This indicates that MAS is an issue that is here to stay, and it will be interesting to see how it develops in the coming years.

The current legal landscape of medically assisted suicide

Momentum to pass legislation allowing medically assisted suicide has been growing in the United States in recent years. As of 2019, nine states and Washington D.C. have laws on the books that allow for some form of medically assisted suicide, commonly referred to as physician-assisted dying or medical aid in dying.

The first state to pass a law permitting medically assisted suicide was Oregon, which did so in 1994. Since then, eight other states have followed suit: Washington, California, Montana, Vermont, New Mexico, Colorado, Hawaii and Maine. In addition, the District of Columbia passed a law permitting medically assisted suicide in 2016, but it has not yet gone into effect.

While momentum seems to be building for more states to pass laws permitting medically assisted suicide, the issue remains highly controversial and divisive. Those who support such laws argue that they provide a humane and dignified way for terminally ill patients to end their lives on their own terms. Opponents of medically assisted suicide laws argue that they open the door to abuse and misuse by vulnerable patients who may feel pressured to end their lives rather than receive treatment or care.

The ethical debate surrounding medically assisted suicide

Since the 1990s, there has been a growing debate surrounding the ethicality of medically assisted suicide—that is, the practice of helping individuals end their lives in order to relieve them of pain and suffering. The debate has been particularly heated in the United States, where a number of states have legalized the practice.

There are a variety of reasons why people support or oppose medically assisted suicide. Supporters argue that it is a humane way to relieve suffering and that individuals have a right to end their lives if they so choose. Opponents argue that medically assisted suicide is ethically wrong because it hastens death, which goes against the Hippocratic Oath to “do no harm.”

The debate surrounding medically assisted suicide is complex and often emotional. There are no easy answers, but it is an important issue that deserves thoughtful consideration.

The arguments for medically assisted suicide

Medically assisted suicide, also known as physician-assisted suicide, is when a physician provides a patient with the means to end their life. This can be done through providing information or the necessary medication. The patient must be of sound mind and make the decision to end their life voluntarily.

There are a number of arguments for medically assisted suicide. One is that it allows people to die with dignity. Those who are terminally ill and in pain may want to die rather than continue living in that condition. Physician-assisted suicide gives them the ability to control when and how they die.

Another argument is that it can save the family members of the terminally ill patient from having to witness their loved one suffer. This can be especially true if the suffering is prolonged and there is no hope for recovery. Seeing a loved one in pain can be traumatizing, and some people may feel that it would be better for everyone involved if the patient were allowed to die peacefully.

There are also practical arguments for physician-assisted suicide. In some cases, continuing treatment may be too expensive or may not be covered by insurance. If a patient knows they are going to die soon anyway, they may prefer to save their loved ones from having to incur these costs. Additionally, if a patient is suffering from an incurable condition, they may want to end their life before their health deteriorates further and they become a burden on those around them.

Not everyone agrees with these arguments, however. Some people believe that medically assisted suicide should not be allowed under any circumstances as it goes against the Hippocratic Oath, which states that physicians should “do no harm”. Others argue that allowing medically assisted suicide could lead to abuse, as patients may be pressured into ending their lives prematurely if they are seen as a burden on those around them.

As of now, only six states in the US (Oregon, Washington, California, Colorado, Vermont and Montana) allow medically assisted suicide under specific circumstances. In each state, the patient must be over 18 years old and must have been diagnosed with a terminal illness with less than six months left to live by two physicians. The patient must also make two verbal requests for assistance within 15 days of each other and one written request witnessed by two people who attest that the patient is of sound mind and not being coerced into making this decision.

The arguments against medically assisted suicide

There are a number of arguments against medically assisted suicide. One argument is that it is a form of euthanasia, which is often seen as morally wrong. Another argument is that it could be abused by people who are not terminally ill but who may want to end their lives for other reasons. Additionally, some people argue that medically assisted suicide goes against the Hippocratic Oath, which requires doctors to do everything in their power to save lives.

The impact of medically assisted suicide on society

In recent years, the topic of medically assisted suicide has become increasingly controversial. Supporters of medically assisted suicide argue that it is a humane and dignified way for terminally ill patients to end their suffering. Opponents of medically assisted suicide argue that it is a dangerous slippery slope that could lead to non-terminally ill patients being pressured into ending their lives.

Currently, there are only a handful of states in the US that allow medically assisted suicide. These states are Oregon, Washington, Montana, Vermont, and California. In each of these states, there are specific regulations that must be followed in order for a patient to be eligible for Medical Assistance in ending their life. For example, in Oregon, a patient must be an adult who is suffering from a terminal illness with less than six months to live. The patient must also be mentally competent and must make two oral requests for Medical Assistance to die, as well as one written request.

The impact of medically assisted suicide on society is still largely unknown. However, it is clear that the debate on this issue is unlikely to go away anytime soon.

The future of medically assisted suicide

The future of medically assisted suicide is shrouded in uncertainty, but there are a few states that have legalized the practice. These states are Oregon, Washington, Montana, and California. In each of these states, there are specific conditions that must be met in order for a person to be eligible for medically assisted suicide.

Oregon was the first state to legalize medically assisted suicide, and the law has been in effect since 1997. In order to be eligible for medically assisted suicide in Oregon, a person must be an adult who is suffering from an incurable and irreversible disease that will result in death within six months. The person must also be mentally competent and must make two verbal requests to their physician at least 15 days apart. Finally, the person must submit a written request to their physician.

Washington legalized medically assisted suicide in 2008, and the law has been in effect since 2009. In order to be eligible for medically assisted suicide in Washington, a person must be an adult who is suffering from an incurable and irreversible disease that will result in death within six months. The person must also be mentally competent and must make two verbal requests to their physician at least 15 days apart. Finally, the person must submit a written request to their physician.

Montana legalized medically assisted suicide through a state Supreme Court ruling in 2009. The ruling said that there is no explicit ban on medically assisted suicide in Montana, so it is legal as long as the patient has receiving psychological counseling beforehand. In order to be eligible for medically assisted suicide in Montana, a person must have a terminal illness with less than six months to live and must make two verbal requests to their physician at least 15 days apart. The person must also submit a written request to their physician.

In 2014, California passed a law legalizing medical aid-in-dying (MAID), which is different from medicalassisted suicide. MAID allows terminally ill patients with six months or less to live the option to receive a prescription for life-ending medication from their physician. In order to be eligible for MAID in California, a person must be an adult who is suffering from an incurable and irreversible disease that will result in death within six months. The person must also be mentally competent and must make two oral requests to their physician at least 15 days apart and one written request signed by two witnesses

Conclusion

Based on the information provided, as of September 2019, nine states and Washington D.C. have legalized medically assisted suicide: California, Colorado, Hawaii, Montana, New Jersey, Oregon, Vermont, Washington State and Washington D.C. In addition, Maine has passed a law legalizing medically assisted suicide that is set to go into effect in January 2020.