North Carolina Lawmakers Consider โStudy of Medical Aid in dying
RALEIGH, N.C. -โ A โbill introduced inโ the North Carolina legislature on March 17, 2025, could pave โคthe way โfor a comprehensive review of โคmedical aid in dying within the state. Houseโ Bill 410 directs the North Carolina Institute of Medicine (NCIM) too study the potential legalization of โthe practice, a โmove sparking debate about end-of-lifeโ choices and patient autonomy.
medical aid in dying, often used interchangeably withโ terms like physician-assisted suicide, involves a terminally ill, mentally competent adultโ requesting and โreceiving a prescription from a physician toโข end their life. It differs from euthanasia, where a physician directly administers โฃthe life-ending medication. Currently, medical โaid in dying is not โฃ legal in north Carolina. Ifโข passed,โ HB 410 wouldโ require โฃthe NCIM to deliver its findings and any recommendations regarding legalization to the legislature by Aprilโฃ 1, 2027.The bill โpassed its first reading on March 18, โฃ2025.
Where is Medical Aid in Dying Legal?
As โขof November 19, 2025, ten states and Washington, D.C., authorize medical aid โin dying for eligible patients, according to Compassion and Choices:
* California (2015)
*โ Colorado โ(2016)
* Delaware (2025)
* Hawaii (2019)
*โ Maine (2019)
* Montana (2009)
* New โJersey (2019)
* New Mexico (2021)
* Oregon (1994)
* Vermont (2013)
* Washington, D.C. (2017)
* Washington (2009)
beyond the U.S., medical aid in dying is available in Australia andโ New Zealand. Eight European countriesโค also permit โassisted dying for those experiencing unbearable suffering,โ including Austria, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, The netherlands, Portugal, and Spain, as well as Switzerland, accordingโข to dignityindying.org.uk.
If โคyou or someone you โknow may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call 988 anyโ time, day or night,โค or chat online. Crisis Text Line also provides free, 24/7, confidential support via โคtext message by dialing 741741.
