Carney vetoes assisted suicide bill, Dems could try override

A bill that passed through the Delaware General Assembly and was set to become law and allow physician-assisted suicide has been vetoed by Gov. John Carney.

In a written statement, the Democrat governor said throughout his tenure, he’s consistently opposed legalizing this end-of-life option. 

“I have always recognized, and do today, that this is a deeply personal issue,” he stated. “Supporters and opponents alike have thoughtful views on the subject, in many cases informed by their own painful, personal experience.”

Assisted suicide bill

House Bill 140, sponsored by Rep. Paul Baumbach, D-Newark, allows a terminally ill adult resident of Delaware to request and self-administer medication to end the individual’s life in a humane and dignified manner.

Both the individual’s attending physician or advanced practice registered nurse and a consulting physician or nurse would have to agree on an individual’s diagnosis and prognosis and believe the individual has decision-making capacity, is making an informed decision, and is acting voluntarily. 

This method is often referred to as “assisted suicide” or “assisted dying.”

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HB 140 passed through both chambers of the state legislature in June, despite concerns that included religious reasons, fears of coercion from family members, fears of someone unintentionally getting their hands on or taking the deadly solution and more.

There was opposition to the bill on both sides of the aisle.

Baumbach also released a statement, explaining his “profound disappointment” in the outgoing governor.

He said terminally ill adults should have the right to make their own decisions about their final days without government intervention. 

“The final days of a dying individual should not be dictated by the personal beliefs of one individual, instead, our laws must reflect the wishes of the overwhelming majority of Delawareans who support this fundamental right,” Baumbach said. “What disappoints me most is that Governor Carney inserts his personal views above those of the hundreds of thousands of Delawareans he represents.”

Carney pointed out the bill only passed by a single vote, highlighting the divisive nature of it. 

“I still don’t believe a firm consensus has been reached on what is a very difficult issue—in Delaware or nationally,” Carney said. 

He cited that last year, the American Medical Association reaffirmed its view that physician-assisted suicide is fundamentally incompatible with the physician’s role as healer. 

“And although I understand not everyone shares my views, I am fundamentally and morally opposed to state law enabling someone, even under tragic and painful circumstances, to take their own life,” Carney said. 

Baumbach stated there were appropriate guardrails and protections in the bill to ensure its effectiveness, just like the law in neighboring state New Jersey and others.

“As I have shared consistently, I am simply not comfortable letting this piece of legislation become law,” Carney said.

Baumbach acknowledged the veto is a setback, but stated that this issue has faced several setbacks for a decade, and he’ll continue to push for physician-assisted suicide. 

“I will continue to fight for the rights of those confronting terminal prognoses to make their own choices about their life, their suffering and their final moments,” he said. 

Baumbach praised Ron Silverio and Heather Block, who he says dedicated their last months to advocating for this legislation.

They both passed in 2018 after battles with terminal illnesses without this end-of-life option. 

There’s a potential for a veto override, and Baumbach said Speaker of the House Valerie Longhurst, D-Bear, has voiced her support for such. 

“Whether via a veto override in 2024 or via new legislation in 2025, there will come a day soon when this legislation becomes law, and Delawareans are afforded the respect and support they deserve in their final stages of life,” Senate Democrats said in a joint statement.