9th Circuit Court of Appeals Upholds 141-Year-Old Ban on Assisted Suicide

Strategic Insights -

A federal appeals court in San Francisco has ruled that there is no constitutional right to assisted suicide, overturning a May decision by a federal judge in Seattle. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals' 2-1 decision upholds a 141-year-old ban against suicide assistance in Washington state, reinstating it as a means of protecting the poor, disabled, and minorities. The ruling is a significant blow to euthanasia supporters and has far-reaching implications for the ongoing debate over physician-assisted suicide.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that there is no constitutional right to assisted suicide, overturning a May decision by a federal judge in Seattle.
  • The ruling upholds a 141-year-old ban against suicide assistance in Washington state, reinstating it as a means of protecting the poor, disabled, and minorities.
  • The American Medical Association (AMA) approved of the ruling, citing its ethics code that prohibits euthanasia.
  • The 2-1 decision by the San Francisco-based 9th Circuit Court of Appeals was written by Judge John T. Noonan Jr. and is the highest court to date to rule on the assisted suicide issue.
  • The next step up would be the U.S. Supreme Court, but it generally does not intervene in issues unless there are conflicting decisions in the lower courts.
  • Almost a dozen states have introduced assisted suicide bills this year, with three having been defeated in committee and most having poor chances of passage.
  • A Maine bill, identical to Oregon's, is sponsored by 10% of the state's Legislature and may be an exception to the trend.
  • The ruling also highlights the importance of maintaining medicine's professional ethic against euthanasia and assisted suicide.
  • The AMA's code of ethics finds assisted suicide to be "fundamentally incompatible with the physician's role as healer."
  • The court drew a firm distinction between the fight to refuse treatment and the fight to directly take the life of a patient.
  • The New York State Task Force on Life and the Law argued against legalizing assisted suicide and euthanasia, and the court cited their conclusion.
  • Judge Eugene Wright dissented in the ruling, arguing that the law violates "the right to die with dignity" and that the state can enact regulations that serve its interest in preserving human life while protecting fundamental liberties.

Statistics:

  • 2-1 decision by the San Francisco-based 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
  • 141-year-old ban against suicide assistance in Washington state.
  • 12 states have introduced assisted suicide bills this year.
  • 3 states have defeated their assisted suicide bills in committee.
  • 10% of the Maine Legislature sponsors a bill identical to Oregon's.
  • 51%-49% approval for the Oregon ballot initiative making it the only place in the world to legalize physician-assisted suicide.
  • 18-page decision by Judge John T. Noonan Jr.

Sources:

  • "9th Circuit Court of Appeals Ruling" (no date mentioned)
  • "American Medical Association" (no date mentioned)
  • "Washington State Medical Association" (no date mentioned)
  • "New York State Task Force on Life and the Law" (no date mentioned)