Death with Dignity Act

1. One of the most interesting and controversial pieces of legislation passed in recent years is Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act. What are the key provisions of the Death with Dignity Act? Have any other states followed Oregon’s lead in this regard?

The Oregon Death with Dignity Act was initiated by Oregon’s citizens and twice passed through a general vote by the citizens and implemented into law in 1994. The controversial Act is a landmark piece of legislation that allows for physician assisted termination of life if a terminally ill patient meets all of the key provisions as outlined in the law. The key provisions in Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act are:

• The patient must be a legal resident of the State of Oregon

• Patient must be 18 years or older

• The patient must be fully capable of making their own health care decisions without being pressured or coerced.

• The patient must be diagnosed as having a terminal disease that will most assuredly lead to their death within the next 6 months.

• The physician has to verify all of these conditions are met and has the final authority in making the decision to administer life ending medications.

(Sultz & Young, 2011).

2. The early years of American hospitals were characterized by a very top down model, which might be succinctly described as “doctor’s orders.” What the doctor said was considered correct, and seldom did a nurse or patient even think about questioning the doctor. However, recent decades have seen a shift in this regard, and we now have an increasing emphasis on patient rights. What are some of the most important patient rights in your view? How do we make sure