Senator Ernie Chambers is working on legislation that would legalize doctor prescribed suicide in the state of Nebraska. The Lincoln Journal Star elaborated on Senator Chambers motives:

He says by preventing people from taking their own lives when they are terminally ill and suffering, government involves itself unnecessarily in situations that are deeply personal and can only be fully understood by those making the decision.

Senator Chambers makes three assumptions it is timely to address: 1) Suicide is illegal. 2) The government is inserting itself into end of life decisions made by patients, their families and their doctors. 3) Doctor Prescribed Suicide is a compassionate option for the terminally ill and suffering.

3 False Assumptions About Assisted Suicide

Is suicide illegal?

The government only prohibits suicide to the extent that it punishes those who assist suicides. Suicide is not illegal but assisting suicide is.

Nebraska Statute, 28-307, says “A person commits assisting suicide when, with intent to assist another person in committing suicide, he aids and abets him in committing or attempting to commit suicide.”

Assisting suicide is a Class IV felony in the state of Nebraska.

What is the government’s role in end of life issues?

Under current law, end of life decisions are handled by patients, their families and their doctors. The law recognizes a legal right for all mentally competent adults to refuse medical treatment even if that refusal would hasten their death.

The government’s interest is in prohibiting people from actively participating in the deaths of others. The government’s duty is to ensure that no one is taken advantage of when they are most vulnerable.

Is Doctor Prescribed Suicide a compassionate option for the terminally ill and suffering?

As a matter of principle, compassion should absolutely be the top priority when treating the terminally ill or those who are in pain. Patients who are confronting terminal illness should receive all of the mental and physical treatment they need and want to improve and preserve their quality of life.