Both Sides Glad To See High Court Take On Assisted Suicide

Both sides on Tuesday applauded the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to rule if Washington state has the power to ban doctor-assisted suicides.

“The truth of the matter is I just think this is one of those watershed legal issues that will be out there until the nation’s highest court makes a decision,” said state Attorney General Christine Gregoire, whose office is fighting to uphold the law banning doctors from helping terminally ill patients commit suicide.

“I have a great deal of compassion for the dying and their families. The issue deserves the kind of attention it will get from the Supreme Court.”

Foes of the law also were pleased.

“The decision of the Supreme Court presents an opportunity to benefit patients throughout the country,” said Susan Dunshee, president of Compassion in Dying in Seattle. “If the Supreme Court agrees with the appellate courts, then all citizens will be empowered to make this profoundly personal end-of-life decision in consultation with their doctors, and without undue interference by the state.”

Siding with the group, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in March struck down the state law, ruling that it violates due process rights.

The Supreme Court also said it would review a federal appeals court ruling that lets doctors in New York prescribe life-ending drugs for mentally competent patients who are terminally ill and no longer want to live.

A decision on both state’s cases is expected sometime by July.