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| Pat McGeehan on the right. |
Executive Director,
Euthanasia Prevention Coalition
I have great news.
I have great news.
West Virginia Amendment 1, that prevents the legalization of assisted suicide, passed with a narrow victory with 50.4% voting YES on Amendment 1.
The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition thanks Pat McGeehan for launching and successfuly carrying this initiative. Pat McGeehan also won his re-election to the West Virginia House of Delegates representing District 1.
I also thank Mary Tillman and the West Virginian Alliance for Ethical Health Care.
I had the opportunity to speak in West Virginia on October 22, 2024 in support of Amendment 1. The event featured Pat McGeehan, a six term representative from Hancock who initiated Amendment 1.
Amendment 1 stated:
I had the opportunity to speak in West Virginia on October 22, 2024 in support of Amendment 1. The event featured Pat McGeehan, a six term representative from Hancock who initiated Amendment 1.
“No physician or health care provider in the State of West Virginia shall participate in the practice of medically-assisted suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing. Nothing in this section prohibits the administration or prescription of medication for the purpose of alleviating pain or discomfort while the patient’s condition follows its natural course; nor does anything in this section prohibit the withholding or withdrawing of life-sustaining treatment, as requested by the patient or the patient’s decision-maker, in accordance with State law, so long as the intention is not to kill the patient.”
At the event McGeehan explained that assisted suicide is not permitted in West Virginia but Amendment 1 will assure that it never will be permitted in West Virginia. Craig Howell, the Managing editor of the Weirton Daily Times reported McGeehan as stating that:
“The citizens of West Virginia have a chance to light a beacon,”
“The despair of suicide will be rebuked in West Virginia’s Constitution.”
McGeehan described assisted suicide as affecting people when they lack hope or believe that they are a burden on others. McGeehan spoke about these deaths and likened them to medical bullying.
Previous articles on this topic:
3 comments:
Mary H. Tillman, J.D. also deserves a tremendous amount of thanks -- she voluntarily gave hundreds of hours of her time, driving all over the state for months, speaking and educating people on the dangers of PAS and the importance of Amendment 1. Also, many thanks to supporters of the West Virginia Alliance for Ethical Health Care, who gave tens of thousands of dollars so that a website and a multi-faceted digital educational campaign could help educate voters on this critical issue. And, thanks to the countless unnamed volunteers who gave of their time, talent, and treasure.
Hallelujah! Let’s hope this is the start of a trend wherein other US states enact similar legislation. — Thomas Lester
Absolutely. Mary Tillman and the West Virginia Alliance for Ethical Health Care were also instrumental. I didn't try to list people in my article but then I end up missing key people.
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