End of Life issues - Assisted Suicide, Euthanasia

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 Michigan Protections for the Terminally Ill on the Chopping Block

On the last day of session in 2023 (November 9, 2023), several Michigan Senate Democrats introduced a package of bills to legalize physician-assisted suicide in Michigan. These bills threaten to open the door for terminally ill patients who are predicted to pass away within six months to receive a lethal dose of medication to tragically end their lives.

According to the Patients Rights Action Fund, "A major study of physician prognoses in Chicago revealed that of 468 predictions, only 20% were accurate in predicting when death would occur. In another study 'No group accurately predicted the length of patient survival more than 50% of the time.' From 12-15% of patients outlive hospice, which is based on a six month prognosis."

If this package of bills is passed, it would be the start of a slippery slope for Michigan.  Of the states and countries that have legalized assisted suicide, most have started with limitations and what are characterized as “safeguards” yet steadily moved to repeal those regulations.  Some examples of regulations that states have started with are a waiting period, counseling, consultation from a second physician, etc.  Almost all states with assisted suicide have now repealed these regulations in an effort to expand assisted suicide far beyond even the terminally ill. 

This poses a threat to the elderly, minority groups, the disabled and the mentally ill.  Many of these individuals already suffer from lack of access to high standards of healthcare.  Adding assisted suicide as a possible “solution” could easily result in coerced or pressured deaths.

 On November 9, 2023, a package of bills to legalize physician-assisted suicide was introduced in the Michigan Legislature.  The next step for this package of bills is for the Michigan Senate Health Policy Committee to vote on whether it will make it to the Senate floor for a full vote. 

It is imperative that you contact your state senator to let them know how dangerous this package of bills is and to vote NO.

Michigan has protected the medically frail, vulnerable, and elderly by prohibiting doctors from prescribing assisted suicide drugs since 1998. 

Unfortunately, 10 other States and D.C. have legalized doctor prescribed death beginning with Oregon in 1997. We must make our voices heard and let our elected officials know that we do not want Michigan to join the ranks of states where our healers are turned into killers. 

Not only would the legalization of assisted suicide pose a threat to the terminally ill, but it would also be dangerous for those experiencing mental health issues, disabilities and those who are elderly or veterans. 

To download brand new resources and read more about the dangers of physician-assisted suicide, click here.

To contact your state senator, click the Action Box below.

Right to Life of Michigan strongly recommends the use of a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care to document your end of life wishes. 

• A Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (DPOA-HC) is a legal document in which you appoint a patient advocate to make health care decisions for you should you become unable to do so.
• You may state what medical treatment you should or should not receive, and under what circumstances your preferences will be carried out. 
• Under a DPOA-HC, your appointed patient advocate makes decisions based on your wishes and the circumstances of your medical condition at that particular time. 
• “Living wills” are not legally binding in Michigan. Because “living wills” cannot anticipate future medical advances or changing life circumstances, they often hinder rather than help medical decision making.