NH Family Physicians Endorse MAiD First Medical Endorsement in Our State
The NH Academy of Family Physicians (NHAFP) has just endorsed medical aid in dying. This is the first time a NH medical association has endorced aid in dying.
With 650 members, the Academy is the second largest medical group in our state, after the New Hampshire Medical Society.
Thanks to members of our Medical Working Group for reaching out to colleagues and growing understanding of MAiD. Another key step was the powerful presentation by Dr. Diana Barnard, a family and palliative care physician and Vermont leader on aid in dying, at the Academy’s annual meeting earlier this year. Dr. Barnard is also a member of our Medical Working Group.
The Academy resolution:
The NHAFP supports the principle of Medical Aid in Dying for the terminally ill in NH, as currently available in eleven other states (including Vermont and Maine) and the District of Columbia. As in all the other states with legalized MAiD, NH must have proper safeguards and strict eligibility criteria, including ensuring mental competency, anticipated survival of less than 6 months, protection against coercion, and a requirement for self-administration of medications. Participation in MAiD must be strictly voluntary for participants and prescribing physicians. Medical organizations such as NHAFP should be involved in the implementation of MAiD in our state.