There are a number of stipulations and safeguards in place in order for a patient to receive a prescription in Oregon. Here a few of the requirements:
- Resident of Oregon
- 18 years of age or older
- Diagnosed with a terminal illness with a life expectancy of six months or less
In addition, the prescription must be self-administered by the patient. Administration by another person constitutes euthanasia, which is illegal in the state of Oregon.
2007 marked the 10th year the law – the only one of its kind in the United States – has been in effect.
Here are some of the key findings from this year’s report:
- 85 prescriptions were written.
- 49 people used the medications (includes three people with earlier prescriptions).
- 80% of patients were between 55 and 84 years old.
- 86% had some form of terminal cancer.
- 90% died at home.
- 55% resided in the Portland metropolitan area.
- All patients had health insurance.
The most common reasons patients cited for choosing to end their lives were:
- Loss of autonomy (100%).
- Decreasing ability to participate in enjoyable life activities (86%).
- Loss of dignity (86%).
- Concerns about inadequate pain control (33%).
A total of 341 people have died under the terms of the Death and Dignity Act since it was passed in 1997.
Derek Humphry points out that there is currently an effort – spearheaded by Compassion & Choices of Washington – in Washington State to add an assisted suicide initiative to this year’s ballot.
Here’s the article from The Seattle Times that brought my attention to this matter.
There has been a lot of controversy surrounding Oregon’s Death and Dignity Act. What do you think? Should assisted suicide be legalized?
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