Journalist: Lina Quinones (TCC)
Should Oklahomans be allowed to die? That was the question that was asked in the house today.
House Bill OSU-552 or the “Death with Dignity” Act of 2026 this bill creates a new law where it allows “Assisted Suicide” or “Medical Aid in Dying”.
An mentally capable adult, 18 and up, who has been determined with a terminal illness that will end in death in six months. Will be able to be prescribed by a physician to take oral medication to end their life.
This Bill does have requirements to meet this.
In the first section of the bill:
For the physician, they must offer other end of life care for the patient with the terminal illness.
Then right before the patient takes the oral medication; the physician has to offer if the patient wants to resend their statement.
Lastly the patient must be a permanent resident of Oklahoma to do this procedure
If the patient so chooses to proceed with this treatment. Then they themselves must directly submit verbal requests that are 14 days apart to an attending physician. These requests have to be seen by two other consulting physicians that have to agree that the patient mentally capable to proceed. As well as a written request that is notarized to the same physician when the medication is taken.
Within the bill, the patient is allowed to take this end of life medication in their own home, but they have to have a physician present.
Now this bill does deal with both life and health insurance companies.
“No life insurance company operating in the state of Oklahoma may consider medical aid in dying as described herin as a form of suicide in the context of life insurance payouts.”
“No health insurance company operating in the state of Oklahoma may deny coverage of other forms of treatment for a terminal illness due to the option of medical aid in dying.”
Many representatives were incredibly passionate about this topic leading to many points being made on whether or not this bill should pass. It was a close draw with the affirmed votes of 31 and the negative votes of 32. Leading this bill to not making past the house.