In January, we propose to add protections in the Code in response to the very dangerous national movement to legalize and promote physician-assisted suicide (PAS). Already, 10 states and Washington, D.C. have legalized PAS. This practice is especially dangerous to vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, disabled, chronically ill, under-insured, and poor. Rather than receiving medical care to alleviate symptoms from serious illness, PAS is used to receive a lethal dose of medicine to purposefully take one’s own life. Experience in other states where this has been legalized has clearly shown that no matter the alleged “safeguards,” the practice is rife for abuse of sick or elderly persons who may feel abandoned or that their lives have become meaningless, hence subtly encouraging them to relieve others of their being a “burden.”
To combat this dehumanizing and cruel onslaught, WVAEHC will propose the Assisted Suicide Prevention Act. This Act would make encouraging or aiding with the suicide of any person by any person (not just health care personnel) a felony. Furthermore, prescribing a lethal dose of medication by a health practitioner additionally is addressed by civil (including injunctive) and licensure (such as revocation of licenses or certificates) relief, including the award of attorney’s fees and awards of damages.

Please be watching for more information in the near future about this important effort, and tell your local delegates and senators that you do not want physician-assisted suicide to come to West Virginia!