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 Montana operates through a trial court ruling

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 Death with Dignity Act

Oregon Data

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 ( %)

End of Life Concerns (WA, 2013) Losing autonomy91% Less able to engage in enjoyable activities89% Loss of dignity79% Burden on family, friends, caregivers61% Loss of control of bodily functions52% Inadequate pain control36% Financial burden13%