TUCKER: Column was misleading

I need to write a clarification. When Ms. Tucker submitted her column on 6/25/10 she stated: “Idaho does not have a statute specifically addressing aid in dying, either to permit or prohibit the practice. It does not even have one of the vague statutes that makes a crime of assisting another to ‘commit suicide.’”

This is factually UNTRUE. The Idaho statutes specifically state: “39-4514.(2). This chapter does not make legal, and in no way condones, euthanasia, mercy killing, or assisted suicide or permit an affirmative or deliberate act or omission to end life, other than to allow the natural process of dying.” Ms. Tucker’s ploy is to re-label Assisted Suicide to Aid in Dying, and somehow that makes it OK in Idaho and not covered in the law.

These are different labels for the same event/action. Any Coroner in Idaho will classify any “Aid in Dying” death” as an Assisted Suicide, thus making it ILLEGAL per Idaho code. If others are involved in helping the patient, it may be classified in the homicide arena.

This seems to be a dangerous game that Ms. Tucker is playing with Idaho citizens. Worst of all, it takes away from meaningful conversations regarding death, dying, Advanced Directives, and comfort/palliative/hospice care. Sincerely, Robert A. Ancker, MD; Board Certified, Hospice & Palliative Medicine.

ROBERT ANCKER, M.D.

Hayden