What are the requirements for physician assisted death in Oregon?
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Here's the official FAQ from the State of Oregon that answers your questions and many others regarding the Death with Dignity Act: http://www.oregon.gov/dhs/ph/pas/faqs.sh...
The Death with Dignity Act (the Act) allows terminally-ill Oregonians to end their lives through the voluntary self-administration of lethal medications, expressly prescribed by a physician for that purpose.
There is no state "program" for participation in the Act. People do not "make application" to the State of Oregon or the Department of Human Services. It is up to qualified patients and licensed physicians to implement the Act on an individual basis. The Act requires the Department of Human Services to collect information about patients who participate each year and to issue an annual report.
he law states that, in order to participate, a patient must be: 1) 18 years of age or older, 2) a resident of Oregon, 3) capable of making and communicating health care decisions for him/herself, and 4) diagnosed with a terminal illness that will lead to death within six (6) months. It is up to the attending physician to determine whether these criteria have been met.
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