By Mike Tony, HD Media
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — West Virginians have before them a matter of life and death.
General election ballots will consider a proposed amendment that would add a section to the state Constitution that states: “No person, physician, or health care provider in the State of West Virginia shall participate in the practice of medically assisted suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing of a person.”
The explanation on ballots says, “The purpose of this amendment is to protect West Virginians against medically-assisted suicide.”
Opponents of the measure say it’s not the state’s place to deprive West Virginians of the choice to shed their suffering with dignity. Supporters say the proposal would direct those considering suicide on a track to what they argue are better choices in palliative care and other medical treatment.
The proposal’s ballot placement results from state House Joint Resolution 28, adopted by the Legislature in March.
