Oregon records rise in 'Death With Dignity' prescriptions as senate considers more lax bill
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Just as Oregon lawmakers consider more lax restrictions in medical aid for those who are dying, a report has revealed that prescriptions for life-ending prescriptions have risen while the deaths have dropped.
The Oregon Health Authority uncovered 2024 data on the Death With Dignity Act on Thursday. In its 27th year, the act led to 607 prescriptions for lethal medications and 376 aid-in-dying deaths — an 8.2% increase and a 2.6% decrease from the year prior, respectively.
The measure has allowed in-state, terminally ill patients to self-administer lethal doses to end their lives since 1987. It expanded to include eligible out-of-state patients in 2023.
OHA’s Deputy State Health Officer and Epidemiologist Tom Jeanne suspects that the new data reflects the ebb and flow of the recently repealed act.
“What we’re seeing is, perhaps, a cooling of the heightened interest and participation in the DWDA that occurred when patients were no longer required to be Oregon residents to receive medical aid in dying,” Jeanne said in a statement.
Health officials found that 23 out-of-state patients requested prescriptions from physicians last year, compared to 29 in 2023.
Even with the in-state requirement being waived, the DWDA act still requires participants to be at least 18 years old, capable of discussing their healthcare decisions with professionals and diagnosed with a terminal illness that will result in their death within at least six months.
If eligible, the patient then enters a 15-day waiting period before the medication can be administered. However, Oregon lawmakers have proposed a bill that would remove some of this criteria.
Senate Bill 1003 would make it so physician assistants and nurse practitioners can prescribe the lethal drugs, rather than just physicians. It would also reduce the waiting period to 48 hours instead of 15 days.
Proponents of the bill have noted that it would help Oregon patients in rural communities who have less access to physicians than a nurse practitioner or physician assistant. Opponents have argued the shorter wait time would hinder already-vulnerable individuals.
“We must reject policies that pressure people into thinking their lives are worth less because of a medical diagnosis,” Oregon Right to Life Political Director Sharolyn Smith wrote in her testimony. “Instead of expanding assisted suicide, we should focus on real support — better palliative care, mental health resources, and a health care system that values every life.”
The Senate Committee on Judiciary has scheduled a work session for the bill on March 31.