CV NEWS FEED // The West Virginia House of Delegates passed an amendment to the state’s constitution this week that protects elderly and at-risk patients from physician-assisted suicide, euthanasia, and “mercy killing.”
On February 15 the House voted overwhelmingly in support of the amendment, 88 to 9. Three delegates were not present for voting. West Virginia citizens will have the opportunity to vote in favor of ratifying the amendment into the state constitution during the 2024 general election.
WV Speaker of the House Roger Hanshaw (R), along with 10 other delegates, introduced the bill, HJR 28.
The amendment reads:
No physician or health care provider in the State of West Virginia shall participate in the practice of medically-assisted suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing.
Nothing in this section prohibits the administration or prescription of medication for the purpose of alleviating pain or discomfort while the patient’s condition follows its natural course; nor does anything in this section prohibit the withholding or withdrawing of life-sustaining treatment, as requested by the patient or the patient’s decision-maker, in accordance with State law, so long as the intention is not to kill the patient.
Non-profit Americans United for Life hailed the passing of the amendment as an “encouraging step” in pro-life healthcare that protects patients.
Danielle Pimentel, Policy Counsel at Americans United for Life, stated, “This overwhelming passage is an encouraging step toward the constitutional protection of the elderly and disabled in West Virginia. We look forward to other states following the example of these courageous legislators.”
