Dr. Hanson's Testimony Opposing Assisted Suicide, Due to: Suicide Contagion; Safeguard Failures; and Implications for the Practice of Psychiatry

Anne Hanson, MD

The Maryland Psychiatric Society opposes HB 643, the End-of-Life Option Act. Since this bill was first introduced in 2015, the Maryland Psychiatric Society has extensively deliberated the legislation within the organization through several listserv discussions, a member survey, and a four hour pro-con debate sponsored jointly with the Maryland somatic physician's organization, Med Chi. In addition to reviewing the legislation each year, we considered information contained in the American Psychiatric Association's resource document on assisted suicide (APA 2017) and other literature as cited in the references below.

The Maryland Psychiatric Society recognizes that this is a divisive issue and that some of our members disagree with the organization's position. Those members have been encouraged to contact their elected officials to contribute their thoughts and we welcome consideration of both sides of this serious policy.

The Maryland Psychiatric Society maintains its opposition to HB 643. There are three general areas of concern.

Assisted Suicide Defeated

Senator Obie Patterson (in blue)

By Pamela Wood, Baltimore Sun

A measure that would have legalized medically assisted suicide in Maryland was defeated Wednesday on a dramatic tie vote in the state Senate.

Sen. Obie Patterson, a Prince George’s County Democrat, was in his seat but did not cast a vote, ultimately spelling the bill’s demise.

“I did not cast a vote simply because I could not bring myself to move right or left on the bill and therefore I didn’t vote at all,” Patterson told reporters later.

Attorney Sara Buscher Opposes SB 311

RE:  SB 311

Please do not vote for  this bill to be reported out of committee. Do everything you can to oppose passage.

Under the bill, safeguards end when the lethal dose is in the home. With no required witness, if the person struggled, who would know?

Slayers can inherit because 5-6A-11 (D)(2) says a death with such a lethal dose is not homicide.

Elder abuse affects 1 in 10 elders and triples their risk of death. https://www.ncoa.org/public-policy-action/elder-justice/elder-abusefacts/

Dore Memo Opposing HB 399 and SB 311

To view this memo and supporting documentation as a pdf, click here

I. INTRODUCTION  

I am an attorney in Washington State where assisted suicide is legal.[1] Our law is based on a similar law in Oregon.[2] Both laws are similar to the proposed bills, HB 399 and SB 311.[3]

The bills seek to legalize physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia as those terms are traditionally defined. The bills call these practices, “aid in dying.” If enacted, the bills will apply to people with years, even decades, to live.

The bills will also allow undue influence. A required falsification of the death record will provide cover for murder. I urge you to vote “No” on HB 399 and SB 311.