‘Death with dignity’ bill killed in the House
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Del. Patrick Hope’s (D-Arlington) proposed ‘Death with Dignity’ bill that would allow terminally ill adults to request an end to their life died in the House on Feb 13.
The bill, HB 858, had narrowly passed the Health and Human Services Committee in a 12-10 vote, with all Democrats voting in favor and Republicans against before being passed by indefinitely in the House, effectively killing it
“Don’t call it ‘suicide’ because there are people that want to live but because of their condition, because they are so terminal and suffering, they want to have control over their illness,” Hope said in defense of the bill during the Feb 12 regular session.
The bill includes a series of safeguards to ensure that patients are certain of their decision, including required written and verbal consent, according to the bill. Patients would also self-administer the medication and the physicians would not be obligated to do so if it conflicted with their personal ethics.
Hope emphasized the importance of having the option available.
“It’s not for everyone, it’s a choice,” he said. “If you believe for reasons of your own that there are other ways to deal with it, you don’t have to make that decision. But for people who want this choice, and I hope no one ever has to make this decision, the choice would be there for your comfort.”
Del. Michael Cherry (R-Chesterfield) spoke in opposition of the bill.
“Doctors do not write our stories, God does,” Cherry said.
The bill was supported by U.S. Rep. Jennifer Wexton, a former senator in Virginia who was recently diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy.
“There are thousands of Virginians dealing with terminal illnesses, facing unthinkable challenges and choices because of these devastating health conditions,” Wexton wrote in a letter read by Sen. Jennifer Boysko during the Senate’s Feb 9 regular session. “And that’s why this legislation is so critical. It is a vital step towards allowing Virginians to gain the dignity, freedom and peace of mind we deserve in the face of a tragic terminal illness like mine.”
HB 858 is identical to Democrat Sen. Ghazala Hashmi’s SB 280
