Physician-assisted death in Oregon is no longer limited to just state residents

[NearlyIrrelevantCake]

Terminally ill patients seeking physician-assisted death in Oregon, where it is legal, are no longer required to be residents of the state, under a settlement reached in a federal lawsuit this week. The lawsuit, filed in October on behalf of Dr. Nicholas Gideonse, a Portland, Ore., physician, contended that restricting the right to die by state lines violated Oregon's Death with Dignity Act and the U.S. Constitution.

Under Monday's settlement, Oregon will immediately stop enforcing the in-state residency requirement and asks the state legislature to modify Oregon's Death with Dignity Act.

In Oregon, in order for a patient to participate in physician-assisted death, they must be at least 18 years old, be capable of making decisions on their own and have been diagnosed with a terminal illness that will lead to death within six months. There are several other requirements for patients and doctors in order to proceed with the process.

 

[FuneralCry]

Its so frustrating that it is only for people with terminal illnesses. I believe that we all deserve the option of a peaceful exit, it is cruel to expect people to suffer for decades against their wishes.

 

[NorseHel]

Its so frustrating that it is only for people with terminal illnesses. I believe that we all deserve the option of a peaceful exit, it is cruel to expect people to suffer for decades against their wishes.

thankfully there's a few countries in which unbearable psychological suffering is now a valid reason for euthanasia. I don't have to tell you of course that that means little to those outside of these countries, it's still a bit of a taboo despite legal status, and the process for approval remains difficult. but it's sign of a shift in the right direction, no matter how small. here's hoping more countries follow suit.

 

[bloodfallsfirst]

Not that it'll really help us; asking for euthanasia for mental illness is just asking to be thrown into the psych ward. If only I lived abroad and/or it wasn't so damned expensive.