The New Hampshire House passed HB1283, also known as Assisted Suicide or Medical Aid in Dying, by a 179-176 vote this afternoon[0]. New Hampshire Right to Life (NHRTL) and a broad coalition of other organizations[1], staunchly oppose this legislation and call on the NH Senate and Governor to reject it.
Jason Hennessey, President of NHRTL, emphasized, “As a society, we should promote a culture that values and safeguards all human life, rather than using death as a solution. Legalized assisted suicide with HB1283 undermines our efforts to prevent suicide and support those who are suffering with compassion, care, and dignity. Furthermore, it opens the door to elder abuse, to devaluing the lives of those with disabilities, and allows insurers to prioritize death over coverage for costly care, creating a horrific conflict of interest. NHRTL urges the NH Senate and Gov Sununu to uphold the sanctity of life and oppose HB1283.”
NHRTL believes Rep Terry Roy summarized the issue best during the House floor debate when he asked the question “Are we a culture of life or a culture of death?” [1] at 5:15pm.
NHRTL also highlights that in other states, patients have been denied potentially life-saving healthcare and instead given information on Assisted Suicide[2,3]. Assisted suicides have also taken place in other states for mental health issues like anorexia[4].
A 2015 study examining states that had legalized Assisted Suicide found an increase of 6.3% in the overall suicide rate, and a 14.5% increase among individuals over the age of 65 [5].
NH Right to Life is New Hampshire’s largest and longest-standing organization dedicated to the pro-life cause.
0: Bill: https://gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/billinfo.aspx?id=1136&inflect=2 House Debate: https://youtu.be/UgVBgogUdDI @ 4:15pm
1: Some other organizations opposing HB1283 include: the many members of the NH Coalition For Suicide Prevention (including Disabled American Veterans of New Hampshire, State Veterans Advisory Committee, United Spinal Association New Hampshire Chapter, Brain Injury Association of New Hampshire, ABLE New Hampshire, and Not Dead Yet) NH Cornerstone, American Academy of Medical Ethics, Catholic Diocese of Manchester, and Americans United for Life.
2: https://thehill.com/opinion/civil-rights/365326-how-assisted-suicide-laws-are-creating-a-duty-to-die-medical-culture/
3: https://dredf.org/public-policy/assisted-suicide/some-oregon-assisted-suicide-abuses-and-complications/
4: https://coloradosun.com/2022/03/14/denver-doctor-gaudiani-aid-in-dying-aneroexia-patients/
5: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26437189/ [full paper]
Contact:
Jason Hennessey
President, New Hampshire Right to Life
