A bill in Nevada that aimed to legalize access to life-ending medication for terminally ill patients may face a roadblock after Governor Joe Lombardo announced he would not sign the policy. Assembly Bill 346, also known as ‘medical aid in dying,’ would allow certain providers to prescribe life-ending medication to competent and willing terminally ill patients. The bill details the eligibility requirements and necessary steps for pharmacists and providers.
During a hearing in the Assembly Select Committee on End-of-Life Care, the bill received support from medical providers and patient advocacy groups who believe terminally ill patients with six months or less to live should have the option to end their own life with the approval of two practitioners. However, opponents, including right-to-life, disability, and spiritual advocates, believe the bill lacks safeguards and argue that the focus should be on improving hospice care instead.
Governor Lombardo’s decision not to sign the bill is based on the belief that advancements in palliative care services and advanced pain management render the provisions in AB346 unnecessary. The bill sponsors, Assembly members Joe Dalia and Danielle Gallant, were not available for immediate comment.
The fate of the bill now rests with the 2025 Legislature, with Governor Lombardo encouraging lawmakers to disregard AB346. Lombardo’s position aligns with his previous veto of a similar proposal in the 2023 session that also aimed to legalize access to life-ending medication for terminally ill patients.
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