Quill v. Vacco

Quill v. Vacco was a 1997 U.S. Supreme Court case addressing whether terminally ill patients have the constitutional right to assisted suicide. The case involved Dr. Timothy Quill, who was helping his patient, Diane, who faced unbearable suffering due to terminal illness. Quill argued that New York's ban on assisted suicide violated the Equal Protection Clause, claiming it unfairly distinguished between dying patients receiving pain relief and those seeking assistance to end their lives. The Supreme Court ultimately ruled against Quill, stating that states have the right to regulate medical practices, including the prohibition of assisted suicide.