Safeguards in the Oregon Death with Dignity Act

Physician aid in dying is patient driven.  No one else can make this request on behalf of a patient.  Only a willing physician will write the prescription.

A patient to be qualified to receive physician aid in dying:

+ Must be an adult resident of the state;

+ must be diagnosed as terminally ill by two concurring physicians                    

competent to make such a determination; (Oregon defines terminal            illness as “an incurable and irreversible disease that has been medically confirmed and will, within reasonable medical judgment, produce death within six months.”)

         + must be judged to have decisional capacity by two physicians, subject 

 to a mental health consultation if clinical depression is suspected;

            + must request medication voluntarily;

+ must make two oral requests to the physician, with at least a two   

   week waiting period between requests;

+ must submit a written request witnessed by two persons, one of whom

   shall not be entitled to any portion of the patient’s estate upon death;

+ may rescind the request at any time in any manner; and

+ must be informed of any other possible treatment options, such as

   hospice care and pain medication.