Delaware Enacts Assisted Suicide Law for Terminally Ill Patients
Ryan Foley, Christian Post Reporter
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Delaware has joined the growing number of states legalizing assisted suicide, with Democratic Governor Matt Meyer signing House Bill 140 into law on Tuesday. This legislation allows terminally ill patients to obtain medication to end their lives, following narrow votes in both the Democratic-controlled Delaware House (21-17) and Senate (11-8).
The bill requires patients to make two written and one oral request for assisted suicide, with specific documentation confirming their decision and the presence of a terminal illness. Importantly, only Delaware residents are eligible, and physicians must inform patients of all other treatment options before they can consider assisted suicide.
The passage of House Bill 140 has sparked strong reactions from various groups. National Right to Life, a pro-life advocacy organization, condemned the law, asserting it threatens vulnerable populations by normalizing a "culture of death." President Carol Tobias criticized the emphasis on assisted suicide over palliative care and hospice services, arguing that it creates a chilling "duty to die" mentality.
Conversely, supporters of the legislation, including Peg Sandeen, CEO of Death With Dignity, hailed the law as a compassionate option for suffering patients. Many view the act as a progressive step towards respecting individuals’ autonomy in end-of-life decisions. Governer Meyer expressed gratitude to advocates of the measure, emphasizing the importance of allowing people to pass away on their own terms, free from excessive pain.
With Delaware’s enactment, the total number of states permitting assisted suicide rises to eleven, joining California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington. As societal attitudes evolve, the debate surrounding assisted suicide continues to intensify across the nation.
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