Delaware Legislates Medical Aid in Dying
A recent turn of events in Delaware’s General Assembly resulted in the passing of a bill legalizing medical aid in dying after a close vote in the state Senate. Initially, the bill faced rejection but was later reconsidered through a special procedure and narrowly passed by a one-vote margin.
The newly passed legislation permits terminally ill adults to self-administer medication to peacefully end their lives, following a process that involves making two verbal requests and one written request. It emphasizes that the decision must solely come from the adult themselves and cannot be made by a guardian or surrogate healthcare decision maker.
This move places Delaware among the ranks of 10 other states and Washington D.C. where physician-assisted death is already legal. The bill’s sponsor, State Sen. Kyra Hoffner (D-Dover), expressed her emotions during the voting process, ultimately voting in favor of the legislation after engaging with her colleagues and key advocates.
During the floor debate, Sen. Stephanie Hansen (D-Middletown) shared a personal story about her father who suffered from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), underscoring that he would have wanted the option of medical aid in dying during his battle with the debilitating disease. She stressed that this bill isn’t about giving up, but rather about seizing control over one’s final journey on their terms.
On the opposing end, State Sen. Dave Lawson (R-Marydel) voiced his disapproval of the bill, juxtaposing medical aid in dying with other controversial measures. Senate Republican Whip Brian Pettyjohn (R-Georgetown) echoed ethical concerns and highlighted potential risks to vulnerable groups.
State Rep. Paul Baumbach (D-Newark), a long-time advocate of the legislation, commended the deliberative process undertaken by the legislators before the final vote. The bill passed with an 11-10 vote, lacking Republican support, and is now awaiting Gov. John Carney’s approval. The administration has not yet disclosed its stance on signing the bill into law.
As Delaware embraces this change in healthcare policy, it sparks conversations and debates around end-of-life options, individual autonomy, and the role of government interference in personal decisions regarding healthcare.
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Author : usa-news
Publish date : 2024-06-26 04:40:37
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