Study on end of life laws?

Sen. Martha Hennessey has requested a 2018 bill to study end of life decisions.

Legislators tried to pass similar bills in 2014, 2015, and 2016.

Pushing forward assisted suicide?

The House killed the most recent bill, sponsored by Sen. Dan Feltes in 2016. Opponents argued that the study would be hijacked by supporters of physician-assisted suicide.

"[This] bill would give a forum for the well-funded proponents of physician-assisted suicide to drive discussion of other issues ... out of deliberations. While we strongly believe in improving palliative care for the terminally ill, the minority can not support any process that violates human dignity by actively terminating human lives."

- Rep. Joseph Hagan, speaking against the 2016 bill

A critical study for an aging population?

Supporters of the bills argue that there may be a need to update New Hampshire's laws surrounding the end of life, especially considering New Hampshire's aging population. The study commission would have no power to make any changes to the law, such as a change to allow physician assisted suicide. It would study diverse issues, such as palliative care and living wills.

Supporters of physician-assisted suicide also believe a study commission is a good first step to introducing an aid-in-dying law.

Click here to learn more about the debate over physician-assisted suicide.

Have your say

Do you support a commission to study end of life decisions? Share your opinion in the comments below.