The Delaware General Assembly will not hold a special session to override Gov. John Carney’s recent veto of a bill that would have given terminally ill Delawareans’ end-of-life options. [Carney pictured right]
House Speaker Valerie Longhurst said Friday that she remains supportive of House Bill 140 but decided not to call a special session because neither the Senate nor the House of Representatives have the votes necessary to override the veto.
A different argument was presented by State Representative. Rich Collins [pictured here], who has been a vocal opponent of the bill, citing concerns that it could lead to seniors being coerced into prematurely ending their lives. Collins stated:
"I was an insurance agent for 37 years, and I sold life insurance and investments,” he told his colleagues in the chamber. “I had situations during my career where…the children of an older person made it clear they wanted their parents to go [die] because of the money. I have a lot of concerns about some people’s motives.”
DELAWARE - Governor John Carney has vetoed legislation that would have allowed for medical aid in dying [assisted suicide & euthanasia] in Delaware.
In June, the Delaware Senate ... passed House Bill 140, which grants terminally ill adults the ability to seek medical assistance to end their [lives] in a dignified manner.
In a statement, Governor Carney said he consistently opposed a state law that would allow medical aid in dying.
"I appreciate the thoughtful consideration of the legislation, and I recognize that the bill’s sponsors made compromises in an attempt to limit abuse and protect vulnerable patients," said Carney.
Governor Carney went on to say he still does not believe a consensus has been reached on this issue. He noted that the legislation was passed by just one vote.
By Melissa Steele, July 26, 2024.
The Cape Gazette
The fate of medical-aid-in-dying bill that cleared the General Assembly in June is uncertain as it has yet to be delivered to Gov. John Carney to sign.
Sponsor of the bill, Rep. Paul Baumbach, D-Newark, said July 15, the bill still resides in the House.
“Thus far, the governor has not led me to believe that he will sign the bill when it makes it to his desk,” Baumbach said.
Baumbach did not say when he plans to deliver the bill to the governor, or whether he has heard if Carney will veto it.
Alex Schadenberg:
"Everyone needs to contact Governor John Carney [pictured left] and urge him to veto assisted suicide Bill HB 140. Call Governor Carney at: 302-744-4101 or email him at: john.carney@delaware.gov"
A news story by Sarah Mueller for whyy news stated:
Democratic Rep. Paul Baumbach, the prime sponsor, said the bill has not yet been sent to the governor. A spokesperson for the governor said lawyers were reviewing the legislation. Requests to clarify their answers received no response.
Original publication 07/03/24, by Alex Schadenberg.
A news story by Sarah Mueller for whyy news stated:
Democratic Rep. Paul Baumbach, the prime sponsor, said the bill has not yet been sent to the governor. A spokesperson for the governor said lawyers were reviewing the legislation. Requests to clarify their answers received no response.
Updated July 5, 2024 12:14 pm
Delaware Governor John Carney could soon decide whether to sign legislation legalizing medical-assisted dying.
Sometimes known as “physician-” or “medically assisted suicide,” the legislation would allow terminally ill people with less than six months to live to request and ingest medication to end their lives.
The House passed the bill 21-14, with four Democrats absent in April. The vote in the Senate originally failed 9-9, but passed days later 11-10.
This is the first time Carney, who is in his final year in office, will have to decide on this issue. He can sign the bill, veto it or allow it to take effect without signing it. Carney has 10 days to act on a bill after it is sent to him.
