Oregon's Physician-Assisted Suicide Law

Abstract

O NOVEMBER 8, 1994, Oregonians passed Ballot Measure 16 that is known as the Oregon Death With Dignity Act by a vote of 51.3% to 48.7% This ballot measure legalizes physicianassisted suicide—it permits an "adult resident of Oregon, who is terminally ill to voluntarily request a prescription for medication to take his or her life."¹Along with the law recently enacted in the northern territory of Australia, this constitutes the first time since World War II that a western state has legalized physicianassisted suicide or euthanasia. In the Netherlands, where euthanasia is permitted and practiced, it still remains illegal, although physicians are not prosecuted as long as they adhere to certain rules^2.3The Oregon Act constitutes a momentous change in social policy. We propose to delineate the important provisions and requirements of the Act and to evaluate potential problems. <h3>BACKGROUND TO OREGON'S PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE ACT</h3> Since 1988, debates