Michigan House Democrats Propose Bills to Legalize Medically Assisted Suicide for Terminally Ill Adults

Democrats in the Michigan House have proposed a package of bills to legalize medically assisted suicide for certain terminally ill adults.

The package would create a Death with Dignity Act. It would permit terminally ill adults with six months or less to live to request and receive medication to end their own lives.

Patients would need to submit multiple requests, both written and oral. They must wait at least 15 days between requests. They also must receive evaluations from two doctors and possibly a mental health professional. Providers must inform them of alternatives like hospice and pain care, and tell them they can change their minds at any time.

The legislation states: "A person who without authorization of the patient willfully alters or forges a request for medication under this act or conceals or destroys a rescission of that request with the intent or effect of causing the patient's death is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 20 years or a fine of not more than $375,000.00, or both."

The proposal bars doctors or others from directly causing death through lethal injection, mercy killing or active euthanasia.

The bills would shield doctors and others from criminal or civil liability if they comply with the law. Providers could opt out, and patients would gain protection from insurance discrimination.

Doctors, pharmacists and other licensed professionals could not face investigation or discipline for participating in death with dignity if they follow the law, the measure says.

The state health department would review cases and issue annual reports. It would access prescription records for life-ending medication to check compliance.

Health insurers could not deny or limit coverage because someone plans to use the Death with Dignity Act. Existing rules would change so patients choosing medical aid in dying would not count as suicide victims for insurance purposes. Life insurance suicide clauses would not apply to deaths under the act.

Michigan would join about a dozen states and Washington, D.C., with laws on physician-assisted suicide for terminally ill adults. That list includes Delaware, New York and Illinois, which approved measures in 2025 that take effect this year.

Several countries have legalized death with dignity, including Canada, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Australia and Colombia.

Supporters, such as medical-aid-in-dying groups, say the law would offer mentally capable, terminally ill adults another end-of-life choice. They point to safeguards like multiple requests, doctor reviews, waiting periods and the right to rescind.

Republicans and faith leaders, especially from Catholic and Evangelical groups, oppose assisted suicide. They cite the sanctity of life and moral concerns.

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said previously: "So-called assisted death endangers the weak and marginalized in a society, and it corrupts medicine and erodes our obligations to family." "And we will promote and respect every life, no matter how old or sick or weak those persons may be."