As one of only two U.S. states to open its doors to terminally ill patients seeking to end their lives with dignity, Oregon has helped hundreds of people since July 2023, when it lifted the requirement that only state residents could receive care.

The Dying With Dignity Act (DWDA) came into effect in Oregon in October 1997 and allows patients at the end of their life to voluntarily administer a lethal dose of a doctor-prescribed medication.

560 people received end-of-life medication in Oregon

In 2023, 560 people received a prescription from doctors in Oregon to end their lives, known as assisted suicide or physician-assisted death, compared to 433 in 2022.

Of these, 367 deaths were recorded by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) due to prescription drug use, an increase of 304 people in 2022. Another 82 people who did not take their prescribed medications died from their illness, while 17 patients survived their six-month death prognosis.

The OHA reports that of the 560 patients who received end-of-life medications last year, 23 were from out of state, representing 6% of the state total.

Cancer is the most common fatal disease

The demographic composition of terminally ill patients shows that most of them are aged 65 years and over. The most common diseases are cancer (66%), neurological diseases (11%) and heart disease (10%).

To be eligible for euthanasia, patients must be at least 18 years old, be examined by two doctors, and be mentally capable of communicating with their doctors, according to the DWDA requirements.

They must also have been diagnosed with a condition that will cause death within six months. Patients must visit Oregon or Vermont, the second state (which also allows residents of other states to receive end-of-life medications), for their first medical examination.

Since 1997, 2,847 patients in Oregon have died after taking medication

The total number of terminations of life in Oregon since the passage of the DWDA in 1997 is 2,847 patients who died after taking prescribed medications. The total number of patients who received prescriptions to end their lives was 4,274.

According to OHA, 88% of patients died at home, 87% of whom were in hospice care. All patients had health insurance—22% private and 78% through Medicare or Medicaid.

The three most common reasons given by terminally ill people for their voluntary death are loss of independence (92%), diminishing ability to lead and enjoy a meaningful life (88%) and loss of dignity (64%).

In total, there are 167 doctors in Oregon who prescribe medications for a dignified death. 51% of them practice in the Portland metropolitan area. Most of these medications include amitriptyline, diazepam, digoxin and morphine sulfate.

Other states where the DWDA is legal but only residents can be helped include:

• Washington
• Montana
• California
• Colorado
• Washington, DC
• Hawaii
• New Jersey
• Maine
• New Mexico

overview

Despite challenges and limited options – such as traveling to another state to find a doctor who will write a prescription for a dying drug – dozens of terminally ill people are making their way to Oregon and Vermont to seek help for a dignified death.

Take away

According to advocacy group Compassion & Choices, 19 states were considering assisted-dying legislation during the 2023-24 sessions. Still, Delaware was the only state to approve the proposal to eliminate the resident-only rule, but the governor has not yet given the green light.

References

Compassionandchoices.org: Countries where physician-assisted suicide is permitted