NORTH CAROLINA

Assisted Suicide is Not Legal

2023-2024—NC H877—bill proposing to study assisted suicide practices introduced in 2023, carried over to 2024 and fails to advance.

2023—See testimony of Sharon Quick, MD, MA (Bioethics) commenting on dangers of assisted suicide and opposing NC H877, as money would be better spent on improving access and delivery of palliative care: Quick Testimony opposing HB 877 North Carolina

2021—HB780 (“End of Life Options Act”), which would legalize physician-assisted suicide, is introduced, referred to a House committee, but does not advance. Note the euphemistic terminology in this bill where lethal drugs are referred to as a “terminal comfort care drug.” Lethal prescriptions are for a multiple-drug combination, not one drug. Patients take anti-nausea drugs and mouth-numbing popsicles before drinking a bitter tasting, burning lethal drug cocktail. Risks include painful ingestion, nausea, vomiting, aspiration, seizures, prolonged death, and not dying. Complications, such as dying from choking on vomit, are more likely when patients are close to death. Despite the potential complications, no health care professional is required to be present when a patient ingests lethal drugs, nor does a professional wait with the patient until he/she dies (which may be hours to days). Palliative care can do far better.

2019—HB 879 (“End of Life Options Act”), which would legalize physician-assisted suicide, is introduced, referred to a House committee, but does not advance.

2017-2018—HB 789 (“End of Life Options Act”), which would legalize physician-assisted suicide, is introduced, referred to a House committee, but does not advance.

2015—HB611 (“Death With Dignity Act”), which would legalize physician-assisted suicide, is introduced, referred to a House committee, but does not advance.