As a physician who deals daily with terminal patients, I can say that HB 160 is bad policy for many reasons. Here are five:
First, contrary to what proponents say, legalizing assisted suicide actually limits your choices and access to healthcare.
Once assisted suicide becomes a medical option, it will be the cheapest option and provide incentive for insurers to save money by denying treatment. I had two patients from Oregon and California, states which have legalized assisted suicide, who were denied treatment.
They were not even “terminal” as long as they could receive the life-saving treatment we asked for. But there were denied coverage and offered assisted suicide pills instead. Neither they, nor I, had requested the lethal drugs. Assisted suicide is not about freedom, autonomy, or choice – it limits choice and reduces your healthcare options.