WASHINGTON

Assisted Suicide is Legal; Safeguards removed in 2023

2023—ESSB 5179 was passed by the legislature and signed into law by Gov. Inslee. It shortens the waiting period for lethal drugs from 15 to 7 days and allows: nurse practitioners and physician assistants to determine eligibility and write lethal prescriptions in addition to physicians; less qualified practitioners to perform mental health evaluations; consent form completion before two practitioners have agreed; mailing lethal drugs; and an indirect supervisory role between the two evaluating practitioners that compromises the integrity of the second opinion. The waiting period may start before either practitioner has evaluated the patient, making same-day death possible. The definition of “participation” and other clauses create conscience violations for both individual practitioners and health care employers. See the following for more information:

• Dr. Sharon Quick’s testimony in opposition to ESSB 5179, WA House Health & Wellness Committee, Mar 6- 2023.

• Further information about conscience violations: Richard Doerflinger’s analysis of ESSB 5179 changes on 12-21-23

2022—Doerflinger, Richard. “Lethal Noncompliance with Washington’s Death With Dignity Act.” Issue 92, On Point Series (2022)

2008—Washington voters pass the “Death With Dignity Act” via initiative (I-1000) which legalized physician-assisted suicide.