Question

In Essay format (2-3 pages) Discuss relevant statutory laws in regards to assisted suicide in health care.

Answer 1

Statutory laws regarding Assisted suicide ( Outline and keypoints of Essay):

Assisted suicide is a type of suicide with the help of another person. The term 'Assisted suicide' mainly used in case of suicide of a terminally ill person with the help of a physician. It is also called as Physician assisted suicide, aid in dying, Physician assisted death and assisted death.

Statutory laws refers to a the complete corpus of laws enacted by legislation and currently in effect within a jurisdiction. Statutory laws in United States regarding Assisted suicide is different for different States. Six States in us are supporting the Assisted suicide, but majority of the states are opposing the Assisted death.

Relevant Statutory laws regarding Assisted suicide:

In 1997 US supreme court, allowed the states to decide independently regarding the issue of Assisted suicide, to permit or ban. This verdict was the result of a series of arguments and appeals.

The following are the ten Jurisdictions and the laws that permits assisted death:

1. California: California End of life Option Act 2015

2. Colorado: Legislation for Medical aid in dying for terminally ill patients ( 2016)

3. Columba District: Death with dignity Act 2016

4. Hawaii: Medical Aid in dying law, 2019.

5. Montana: Legislation for Aid in dying 2009.

6. New Jersey: Aid in dying for terminally ill Act, 2018.

7. Oregone: Death with Dignity Act 1994

8. Vermont : Patient choice and Control at the end of life Act, 2013

9. Washington: Death with Dignity Act 2008

The statutory laws in these jurisdictions clearly mention that these Acts regarding Assisted suicide  should not use for any mercy killing, suicide, homicide or illegal assisted death. 44 states in US prohibiting the act of Assisted suicide. For example: Alabama: Assisted suicide ban Act 2017.

West Virginia: Condemnation of Assisted suicide

The state Virginia consider Assisted suicide as a Civil crime. Majority of the states are having legislation to ban the Assisted suicide. Still many are raising voice for assisted suicide, to make it as a legal, so that many terminally ill can escape from their chronic pain and suffering.