As of 2011, two States, Oregon and Washington, have enacted "Death with Dignity Acts." Pursuant to this legislation, a "qualified patient," suffering from a "terminal disease," can request a physician to write a "prescription for medication to end his or her life in a humane and dignified manner," in what is now known as "physician-assisted death." A combined 644 patients have died following ingesting such lethal doses of medication. As to each State, this book presents a detailed analysis of what constitutes a qualified patient, and the exact procedures that must be followed to satisfy the Act's many safeguards. Separate chapters examine the statistics relating to these 644 patients.
This book also presents a detailed analysis of three seminal United States Supreme Court cases that form the foundation for the legalization of state Death with Dignity Acts. Cruzan v. Missouri (1990), was the first "right to die" case to have reached the Supreme Court. Washington v. Glucksberg (1997), dealt with the rights of terminally ill patients to obtain what was then referred to as "physician-assisted suicide," as well as the physician's right to provide such medical services. And, Gonzales v. Oregon (2006), dealt with an unsuccessful attempt by the United States Attorney General-John Ashcroft to destroy the Oregon Death with Dignity Act by claiming that the lethal medication was in violation of the Controlled Substance Act.
The author of this book, a former Assistant United States Attorney, applies a uniquely legal approach to define the scope and reach of the Oregon and Washington Death with Dignity Acts, as well as the arguments pro and con, as set forth by the Supreme Court, relating to physician-assisted death.
This book was written with four audiences in mind: first, residents of Oregon and Washington who need to know about their state's Death with Dignity Act; second, residents of the other 48 states and other jurisdictions who want to know how to adopt similar legislation; third, all those who want to learn about the thirteen years of actual experience in administrating the Oregon Act, and the two years of actual experience in administering the Washington Act; and, fourth, legislators of states without Death with Dignity Acts who want a template to adopt such legislation.
