The political bias found in media sources is rooted in the fundamental beliefs held by the major political parties, which inform the policy stances discussed in news media. Some policies clearly align with particular party beliefs, leading to clear-cut stance differences, while others have a more complex relationship with the parties’ biases. Assisted Suicide policies have muddled connections to the biases of the parties, making stances ambiguous.
Assisted suicide is a situation in which a doctor provides a patient the means to end their life upon request, typically occurring when a patient has been determined to be in a terminal condition. It is also referred to as doctor-assisted suicide, physician-assisted suicide, Medical Aid In Dying (MAID), and Physician-Assisted Death (PAD), as the different terms hold different connotations and potential stigmas that influence biases for and against the practice. Assisted suicide is ultimately administered by the patient themself, usually in the form of taking medication.
The practice is distinct from euthanasia, in which the physician administers the means of dying, usually in the form of a lethal injection. For both assisted suicide and euthanasia, the greatest predictor of opinion on the matter is religiosity rather than party stance, as the parties are relatively split on the matter.
Assisted suicide viewpoints are generally more positive than viewpoints surrounding euthanasia for reasons of physician responsibility, but neither the Democratic nor the Republican Party expresses strong policy stances on the topic. A majority of Democrats are in favor compared to a minority of Republicans.
The Democratic Stance on Assisted Suicide
Physician-assisted suicide policy for the Democratic Party is influenced by the Democratic emphasis on personal autonomy, which determines that individuals should be able to make decisions about their own lives, including the decision to end them. This emphasis is evidenced in other issues related to life, including abortion policy, which is sometimes mentioned by news media in relation to assisted suicide public policy. However, Democrats also bear concerns about the disproportionate vulnerability of some individuals who might feel pressure to choose to end their lives through assisted suicide for financial reasons or for reasons of disability or age.
Assisted suicide is not a major talking point within the Democratic Party, although it has been denounced by Republicans in the party’s platform. The 2013 poll from Pew does not reflect a major polarity in public opinion on the topic, although a slight majority (53%) of Democratic voters approve of assisted suicide. This compares to 37% of Republicans. A more recent poll from Gallup in 2024 indicates a shift in public opinion, as 66% of Americans indicate support for assisted suicide. Again, a majority (69%) of Democrats supported the morality of assisted suicide, while the minority of Republicans in support rose slightly to 38%.
While the majority of the United States expresses support for assisted suicide, current legislation handles the issue at the state level with no federal position on the matter to reflect Democratic or Republican sentiments. Fewer than half of the states permit assisted suicide.
The Republican Stance on Assisted Suicide
Viewpoints opposing assisted suicide policy are typically grounded in conservative values and religious beliefs that emphasize the sanctity of life. The Republican policy stance on assisted suicide aligns with these grounding factors, as many Republicans see human life as a gift from God.
Aside from religious reasons, Republicans, like some Democrats, express concern regarding the vulnerability of individuals to coercive pressures that might prompt them to choose assisted suicide when they otherwise wouldn’t. Additionally, some have worried that assisted suicide might endanger the family unit, which Republicans value, as feelings of responsibility to care for family members through health issues could decrease with the increase of assisted suicide viability.
While the differences in opinion have become much more distinct over the years between the Pew and Gallup polls, in the Gallup poll religion proved the greatest predictor in the controversy on assisted suicide, as those who were not affiliated or identified with a particular religion were much more likely to express support at 77% compared to much lower rates among those with church attendence. More frequent church attendance was associated with lower percentages of supporters, with 67% for those who attended seldom or never, 42% for those who attended nearly weekly or monthly, and 29% for those who attended weekly.
To see individual politicians’ stances on different policies, please visit the Politician’s Stance Tracker.
A Brief History of Assisted Suicide Policy in the U.S.
Assisted suicide has attracted more positive opinions in the United States over time, but it has traditionally been a controversial policy paired with the issue of euthanasia. The history of assisted suicide shows the trend of decreasing stigma against the policy.
“Dr. Death” is a significant name in the conversation, nearly synonymous with the assisted suicide policy issue. The nickname refers to pathologist and assisted suicide advocate Jack Kevorkian, who self-reported having assisted 130 patients in their ‘right to die.’ Following the television airing of him performing euthanasia in 1998, Kevorkian faced murder charges rather than assisted suicide charges due to his active role, and was convicted of second-degree murder and delivery of a controlled substance. He served eight years out of a 10 to 25-year sentence. He believed terminal patients had the right to choose how and when they would die.
Ten states and the District of Columbia have legalized assisted suicide with restrictions as of 2025. As an example of the types of restrictions that apply, the Death with Dignity Act which was signed into law in the state of Maine in 2019 requires that the patient be: mentally competent, over the age of 18, diagnosed with a terminal disease that will produce death within 6 months. With those qualifications, the patient must make two verbal and one written request with gaps of time spaced between before receiving a prescription for lethal medication. Other permitting states have their own unique requirements.
In 2023, Vermont became the first state to remove the residency requirement for assisted suicide. This amendment to their existing policy opens Vermont as an option for individuals seeking control of their end-of-life choices if their home state does not permit the practice.
While conservative and religious viewpoints continue to oppose options for death that come earlier than ‘natural,’ the more Democratic support for the ‘right to die’ aligns with the increasing allowance for assisted suicide.
Policy on Assisted Suicide in the United States
Public policy on assisted suicide in the United States is characterized by a positive attitude, contrasting with legislation that does not reflect that attitude. Notably, support for euthanasia is higher than for assisted suicide, reported at 71% by the 2023 Gallup Poll. A potential reason for the difference in reported attitudes regarding euthanasia and assisted suicide is the social and religious stigma attached to the term “suicide,” specifically.
As public policy continues to change, the arguments both for and against assisted suicide must be developed. Increasing support for both assisted suicide and euthanasia indicates a higher emphasis on value for dignity and self-determination for the terminally ill and those suffering pain, as well as a stress on the idea that people have the right to die just as they have the right to live.
Those in opposition put forth religious arguments about the sanctity of life, saying that people do not have the right to die or determine their own lives. Both the Democratic and Republican Parties worry about the disproportionate potential for disadvantaged individuals to be pressured to choose an early death with the legalization of assisted suicide, as well as the slippery slope of deciding whose lives are worth preserving. The financial pressures related to assisted suicide stem from the privatized nature of healthcare in the United States.
Palliative care is another key factor in the discussion of assisting terminal patients in end-of-life care. The goal of palliative care is to improve symptom control, quality of life, and family satisfaction with care. This form of care should relieve the pain, symptoms, and stress accompanying terminal illness. Those who are against assisted suicide policy point to palliative care and advocate for improvement of these measures as an alternative. Proponents of the policy note that palliative care is not 100% effective in relieving physical and mental distress.
Assisted suicide state policies make it legal in ten US states and the District of Columbia as of 2025. Physician-assisted suicide is available to individuals by law in Colorado, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington. It is available to individuals in Montana and California through court decisions. It is notable that all the states were governed by a Democrat when the law or court decision was passed.
What the Future Holds
As public opinion and legislation shift, there’s a potential for more state governments to take on positive stances toward assisted suicide to match the opinion of the majority of Americans. As the federal government is largely Republican-controlled in 2025, it is unlikely that the policy for the country at large will change soon, but the states continue to consider opening up more options for those wanting assisted suicide policies.
Internationally, other countries are considering permitting assisted suicide as well, with five European countries already legalizing medically assisted dying.
To unlock more data-driven insights into media bias, explore political leanings with research-backed tools, and customize your news feed around what matters most to you, sign up for a Biasly Premium News Membership.