Death with Dignity Act

The Death with Dignity Act, enacted in Oregon in 1997, allows terminally ill adults to obtain a prescription for lethal drugs. To be eligible, individuals must be at least 18 years old, capable of making healthcare decisions, and diagnosed with a terminal illness expected to result in death within six months. The attending physician and a consulting physician must both confirm the diagnosis and the patient's mental competence.1

The process involves multiple requests, including oral and written requests to physicians, with waiting periods between them. Patients are informed of alternatives like palliative care and hospice. While physicians are not obligated to participate, those who do must adhere to strict protocols and reporting requirements. The law has faced legal challenges, including a Supreme Court ruling in favor of Oregon, and has been amended to streamline the process for patients with less than 15 days to live. As of March 2022, Oregon no longer requires patients to be residents of the state.12