I don't necessarily disagree that it's a bad idea to encourage the .gov to encourage people to off themselves, but on the other hand it's kinda the ultimate proof you are not free amd are owned by the .gov that you can't even leave this world on your own terms.
I suspect, but expect argument, that's kind of a "blue law," one baed on religious factors: "your body is a temple of the Lord, and His property," and you cannot harm yourself based on that. (ETA Pb brushed on that.)
I further speculate that's part of the reason for the "suicide by cop" phenomenon.
Heck with that. If I’m going to off myself it’s not going to be in some doctors office. And it won’t be at home. I’ll go where I can do it privately, and then emts or similar can collect me later. A few hours or several months later, depending on the ick factor expected.
I started to think about (not ideation) suicide by gun recently because a second degree relative killed himself by gun in his garage, supposedly to minimize the mess and danger of a bullet going through walls to unknown places:
Let's admit it, firearms are pretty effective and certainly fast if done "right."<ahem>
I figure the least icky way to do it by firearm to avoid friends or relatives discovering the body, would be sitting against the brick wall of a hospital building, with a stout black plastic garbage bag over yourself, and calling the emergency room just before the act so that medicos, who are used to dealing with messes, will discover you pretty quick, and if any passers-by or witnesses discovered your action, the big plastic bag would shield the mess from view.
As I say, my second degree relative prompted my thinking about this and I was toying with the idea of basing a short story on it. Then I decided it wasn't my bailiwick and dropped the idea. Despite my flight of imagination above, I just ain't that morbid.
Terry, 230RN