A new poll shows support for physican-assisted suicide legislation for certain terminally ill people.
House Bill 140 would give terminally ill adults with under six months to live and unbearable suffering the option to request prescription medication they can use to die peacefully.
A survey conducted between January 30th and February 3rd polled 781 Delawareans planning to vote this November. It found 72 percent support a bill giving someone terminally ill the option to take medication to end their life - with 50 percent strongly in favor. 20 percent are not in favor.
The bill's sponsor, State Rep. Paul Baumbach (D-Newark), says this survey strongly makes the case to legislators on the fence.
"We have documented very very clearly and unequivocally that this has incredibly broad support," said Baumbach. "I can't think of many issues that I've dealt with in eight years in Dover that are shown to be as popular as this."
The bill requires two physicians confirm a terminal illness with a prognosis of under six months and that the person be able to make an informed healthcare decision. The patient must also make multiple requests for the medication with witnesses and the decision to self-ingest it must be voluntary and can be withdrawn at any time.
Judy Govatos has four-stage lymphoma, and has been treated twice. She says it’s not a matter of if, but when it returns. When the end is near, she wants this option available.
"I will do hospice but I also want to be able to have a compassionate death," said Govatos. "I don't want to be hooked up to machines. I don't want to be isolated, and alienated from my family and my loved ones, and I want the capacity to say that I can leave life fully aware."
State Rep. Ray Siegfried (D-Arden) concedes some in the medical community won’t come around on this legislation, but believes there is support there.
"It's for the patient, right? What does the patient want? And they ought to have that choice," said Siegfried. "We live in a pluralistic society, and this House Bill 140 will provide that choice. I fully think that in the end you will find that the medical community will come in favor of this."
Maria Spencer agrees. She is the Delaware Campaign Manager for Compassion & Choices, an advocacy group for end of life issues and says there is support in Delaware from doctors.
"We do know that there is support among healthcare professionals around the state," said Spencer.
Baumbach adds there’s no firm timetable for the bill moving forward.
