Oregon DWDA

Paper Summary:

The writer notes that today, with advanced technology and medical care, most terminal cases in hospitals, and greater involvement of legislation with privacy issues, dying has become complicated. In this article, the writer discusses that Oregon with its Death and Dignity Act (DWDA), permits terminally-ill state residents to end their lives through the voluntary self-administration of lethal medications, expressly prescribed by a physician for that purpose. The writer maintains that this issue presents a valuable opportunity for individuals to decide while they can how to react to end-of-life issues before they become too prominent. The writer concludes that it is hoped that people can be objective and look at both sides of this issue for themselves and others to determine what is best for most people in the long term.

From the Paper:

"Implementation of the Oregon "Death with Dignity Act" was delayed by a legal injunction. However, after proceedings, which included a petition denied by the United States Supreme Court, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals lifted the injunction in October of 1997. In retaliation, at the upcoming November elections, the voters were asked to repeal the act through a general ballot. This time, when they rejected the repeal of the law by a wide margin of 60 to 40 percent, Oregon became the only state allowing legal physician-assisted suicide."
"The Death with Dignity Act permits terminally ill Oregon residents to obtain and use prescriptions from their doctors for self-administered, lethal medications. Under the Act, ending one's life in accordance with the law does not constitute suicide."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Cooke, J.R. (1995). Oregon's death with dignity act: Too much death and not enough dignity. P&S Medical Review 2(2): 10-12
• Death with Dignity Act of the State of Oregon (1994). Website retrieved http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/pas/index.shtml
• Disability rights activists 'angered' by high court assisted suicide stand (2006). Mental Health Law Report 24 (2): 23.
• Humphry, D. (l991). Final Exit Portland: Hemlock Society.
• Fadem, et. al (2003). Attitudes of people with disabilities toward physician-assisted suicide legislation: Broadening the dialogue. Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law 28(6): 977-1002.

More papers on Oregon DWDA:

• Research Paper # 95560 : "Death with Dignity Act (DWDA)"
• Analytical Essay # 139572 : "Reducing Cimie in Oregon"
• Research Paper # 52692 : "Voluntary Euthanasia in the United Kingdom"

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