Delaware Ok's Legalize Physician-Assisted Suicide

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Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer (D) signed groundbreaking legislation on Tuesday, making Delaware the 11th state to legalize physician-assisted suicide for terminally ill adults after nearly a decade of debate.

“This law embodies compassion, dignity, and choice,” Meyer stated. “It allows those facing unbearable suffering to decide their final moments with loved ones by their side.”

Starting next year, mentally capable adults with a terminal illness and a six-month prognosis can request and self-administer medication to end their lives. Delaware now aligns with states like California, Oregon, and Vermont, plus Washington, D.C., in permitting “death with dignity.” Oregon pioneered this in 1994, with most similar laws enacted in the past decade. After a narrow defeat last year, Meyer’s push secured the bill’s passage this session.

The law requires patients to be offered alternatives like hospice, palliative care, and pain management. It also mandates two waiting periods and a second medical opinion before prescribing the medication.

Supporters celebrate the law as a victory for personal freedom. “This honors the autonomy of those grappling with terminal illness,” said State Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend (D). “It’s built on the courage of patients and families who shared their heartfelt stories.”

Opponents, including the National Right to Life, warn of risks to vulnerable groups. “Assisted suicide laws can pressure the elderly, disabled, and chronically ill to choose death,” said president Carol Tobias. “This risks fostering a culture that devalues life.”

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