On September 20, Delaware Governor John Carney vetoed HB140, a bill in the state House of Representatives that would have allowed doctor-assisted suicide. Governor Carney stated that he is “fundamentally and morally opposed” to the bill, believing that the medical community has not reached a consensus on this issue.
In a letter to state legislators explaining his decision, Governor Carney wrote, “While I understand not everyone agrees with my perspective, I am fundamentally and morally opposed to state law allowing someone to end their own life, even in situations of great suffering and pain.” He added, “As I have consistently shared, I am simply not willing to see this legislation become law.”
HB140 passed in the state House in April and by a narrow 11-10 vote in the state Senate in June. Concerns raised included religious objections, fears of coercion from family members, and accidental access to or misuse of lethal means. The bill would have allowed terminally ill adult residents of Delaware to request and self-administer medication to peacefully and dignifiedly end their own lives. The patient’s primary physician or advanced practice registered nurse, as well as a consulting physician or nurse, must agree on the individual’s diagnosis, prognosis, decision-making capacity, the wisdom of the decision, and that the individual is acting voluntarily.
Governor Carney highlighted that the bill barely passed by one vote, underscoring its divisive nature. He stated, “I do not believe a firm consensus has been reached on this extremely difficult issue in Delaware or nationwide.”
He noted that the American Medical Association reiterated its stance last year that physician-assisted suicide is “fundamentally incompatible with the role of physicians as healers.”
Governor Carney expressed his long-standing opposition to legalizing this end-of-life option during his eight-year tenure. He said, “I have always believed, and still do today, that this is a deeply personal issue. Both proponents and opponents have strong views on this issue, often shaped by their own painful personal experiences.”
Currently, physician-assisted suicide is legal in 11 states/jurisdictions in the United States: California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Montana, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington.