Michigan Democrats are promoting a dignified death for terminally ill adults

Democrats in the Michigan House have proposed a package of bills aimed at legalizing the suicide of certain terminally ill adults.

The package, which would create the Death With Dignity Act, would allow certain terminally ill adults with six months or less to live to request and receive drugs to end their lives.

As part of the package, patients will have to make multiple requests, both in written and verbal form, and must wait at least 15 days between requests. They must also receive two medical evaluations, possibly a mental health evaluation, be informed of other options such as hospice care and be told they can change their minds at any time.

“A person without the patient’s authorization who knowingly alters or submits a prescription for a drug under this act or conceals or destroys the withdrawal of such prescription with intent or results in the patient’s death is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for a term not exceeding 20 years or a fine not exceeding $375,000.00,” both laws read.

DELAWARE’S STATE SUICIDE BILL HAS PASSED INTO LAW, MAKING IT THE 11TH STATE TO ACT.

The proposal also does not allow a doctor or other person to directly cause death by lethal injection, mercy killing or euthanasia.

The package would protect doctors and others from criminal or civil liability if they follow the law, allow providers to opt out and protect patients from insurance discrimination.

Doctors, pharmacists and other licensed professionals cannot be investigated or disciplined simply for assisting in so-called dignified deaths, as long as they follow the law, on average.

NY GOV. HOCHUL SIGNS BILL TO LEGALIZE ASSISTED SUICIDE: ‘WHO AM I TO DENY IT?’

Protesters gather during a protest organized by Dignity in Dying Scotland, as the Scottish Parliament holds its final vote on the Assisted Dying Bill on March 17, 2026 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

The state health department will review cases and publish annual reports. The department will be able to access doctor’s records related to lethal drugs to monitor compliance.

Additionally, health insurers will not be allowed to deny or limit coverage because a person plans to end their life under the Dying with Dignity Act.

Existing insurance laws will be amended so that a patient who chooses medical aid in dying is not considered a suicide for insurance purposes. Life insurance policies regarding suicide will not apply if a person dies under the Death with Dignity Act.

Michigan will join a dozen other states and Washington, DC, in adopting laws allowing physician-assisted suicide for terminally ill adults, including Delaware, New York and Illinois, which each passed legislation by 2025 that will go into effect this year.

Michigan will join a dozen other states and Washington, DC, in adopting laws allowing physician-assisted suicide for terminally ill adults. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM

Several other countries, including Canada, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Australia and Colombia, have also legalized so-called dignified death.

Supporters of the legislation, including medical-aid-in-dead advocacy groups, say it would give mentally competent, terminally ill adults another last-ditch option for life, while maintaining safeguards such as multiple applications, physician review, waiting periods and the ability to withdraw the application at any time.

Republicans and religious leaders, especially in the Catholic and Evangelical communities, have long expressed concern about assisted suicide, citing the sanctity of life, and moral and ethical concerns.

“So-called assisted dying endangers the vulnerable and marginalized in society, and undermines medicine and violates our obligations to the family,” U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said earlier. “And we will encourage and respect all life, regardless of how old, sick or frail those people are.”