Health care experts divided over Michigan’s proposed ‘Death with Dignity Act’
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LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – The debate over physician-assisted death has returned to Michigan with a new proposal at the state Capitol to make it legal.
State lawmakers are weighing the “Death with Dignity Act,” which would allow terminally ill adults to choose to end their own lives with the help of a physician.
The argument can be traced back to the 1990s when Michigan physician Jack Kevorkian brought national attention to the issue of physician-assisted suicide.
A group of Democratic state lawmakers recently proposed a new law that would legalize assisted suicide only for patients older than 18 years old who have six months or less to live.
Previous Coverage: Michigan lawmakers debate Death with Dignity Act for terminally ill patients
Supporters cite patient autonomy
Michigan State University Professor Dr. Leonard Fleck said under the right circumstances, physician-assisted death is ethically sound.
“I would certainly be opposed to the idea of saying, anybody who wants can just choose to end their life and physicians should help them do that,” Fleck said. “What we’re talking about here is a very narrow area where individuals would have the right to make this choice for themselves.”
Fleck said one reason to support the measure is respect for patient autonomy.
“Especially the autonomy of patients who are faced with a terminal illness and are suffering very significantly, more than they’re willing to bear,” Fleck said.
He said the option serves as a safety measure for patients.
“That, if things really get bad, then I’m going to ask a physician to provide that drug to me so that I can use it when I wish,” Fleck said.
Opponents raise concerns about safeguards
Where supporters see mercy for patients in pain, Dr. Jeanne Lewandowski sees the potential for more suffering, because the “Death with Dignity Act” restricts patients to self-administered oral medication.
“Many times, it doesn’t work. Many times, people can’t get it down, many times people vomit it up,” Lewandowski said. “What do you do if someone sort of takes it and aspirates? What does a family do?”
Lewandowski spent decades working in end-of-life care for both children and adults. She believes the Michigan Legislature should focus on improving access to that care rather than promoting physician-assisted death.
“Everybody deserves to be safe, in a loving environment, cared for as we are dying,” Lewandowski said.
Bill includes oversight and criminal penalties
People who oppose the act say it is lacking too many guardrails, opening the door for misuse of physician-aided suicide. However, the bill authors have outlined a few precautions.
Patients seeking the procedure would be required to make two oral requests and one written request with witnesses.
All requests, diagnoses and physician determinations must be documented in the patient’s medical record.
The Department of Health and Human Services would be required to annually review a sample of records and generate a public statistical report to ensure compliance.
The bill also establishes criminal penalties of up to 20 years in prison and a $375,000 fine for anyone who willfully alters or forges a request with the intent to cause death or coerces or exerts undue influence on a patient to request the medication.
The Death with Dignity Act was introduced by Democratic lawmakers in the state House.
It is being reviewed by the Committee on Government Operations rather than a health care related committee.
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