New Mexico assisted suicide bill is radical, but it does not permit suicide tourism.

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director - Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

On December 26 I published an article stating that the New Mexico assisted suicide bill (HB 90) may allow assisted suicide tourism. My article was wrong.

New Mexico assisted suicide Bill HB 90 is a dangerous assisted suicide bill and it is also written in an awkward manner.

All assisted suicide bills include a list of requirements to approve a person for a lethal prescription. That list always includes ... a residency requirement.

For instance, the Oregon assisted suicide act states that a "Qualified patient" means a capable adult who is a resident of Oregon.

HB 90 has a list of requirements but it does not include a residency requirement. But HB 90 does define "Adult" as a resident of the state who is eighteen years of age or older.

A problem exists. Section 3 in HB 90, describes the qualifications for assisted suicide, but it does not use the term "Adult," it uses the term "individual."

The term "Adult" only shows up in the form: REQUEST FOR MEDICATION TO END MY LIFE IN A PEACEFUL MANNER. This is the form for requesting assisted suicide that says:

I ... am an adult of sound mind.

In fact the form requesting assisted suicide is the only time HB 90 uses the word "Adult."

For more information about how dangerous assisted suicide bill HB 90 is read:

• New Mexico assisted suicide bill is the most extreme bill.
• New Mexico's radical assisted suicide bill.