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Current Physician-Assisted Suicide Data

Current Physician-Assisted Suicide Data. Legality and Requirements. Legal in 5 states: Oregon, Washington, Vermont , New Mexico and technically Montana Oregon , Washington, Vermont, and New Mexico follow the Death with Dignity Act New Jersey will vote on it in August, 2014

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Current Physician-Assisted Suicide Data

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  1. Current Physician-Assisted Suicide Data

  2. Legality and Requirements • Legal in 5 states: Oregon, Washington, Vermont, New Mexico and technically Montana • Oregon, Washington, Vermont, and New Mexicofollow the Death with Dignity Act • New Jersey will vote on it in August, 2014 • Montana operates through a trial court ruling

  3. Death with Dignity Act • Requirements: • Must be certified by a medical doctor as terminally ill • One must be within 6 months of death • Patient must initiate the request. • Any physician, pharmacist or healthcare provider may refuse to participate. • Request must be confirmed by two witnesses • One can’t be related • One can’t be entitled to any portion of the patient’s estate • One can’t be the patient’s physician • One is not employed by a health care facility caring for the patient • After the request is made, another physician must examine the patient’s medical records and confirm the diagnosis • The patient must be determined to be free of a mental condition that could impair judgment • The patient must wait at least 15 days and make a second oral request before the prescription may be written • The patient has a right to rescind the request at any time

  4. Oregon Data

  5. Overall Stats • From 1997 – 2013 there have been 752 physician-assisted deaths in Oregon (1,173 prescriptions written) • Median age 71 (42 – 96), well-educated (53.5% had a BA or higher), and had cancer (64.8%) • In Oregon in 2013, only 3% referred for a formal psychiatric or psychological evaluation • In Oregon and Washington in 2013, vast majority had insurance (95 - 97%)

  6. End of Life Concerns (WA, 2013) • Losing autonomy 91% • Less able to engage in enjoyable activities 89% • Loss of dignity 79% • Burden on family, friends, caregivers 61% • Loss of control of bodily functions 52% • Inadequate pain control 36% • Financial burden 13%

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