The Hemlock Society USA

OREGON DEATH WITH DIGNITY ACT BALLOT MEASURE 16

A qualified patient means a capable adult who is a resident of Oregon and has been determined by his or her attending physician and consulting physicians to have a terminal disease and who has expressed his or her wish, in written and oral requests, to obtain a prescription for medication to end his or her life in a humane and dignified manner.

• A patient suffering from a terminal disease learns from his attending physician that he or she has six months or less to live.

• The patient voluntarily initiates an oral request for a prescription for medication to end his or her life with dignity. A 15 day waiting period begins.

• The attending physician makes sure the patient understands the diagnosis and prognosis, risks and expected result of taking the medication to be prescribed and informs the patient of all options, including pain control, hospice care and comfort care.

• The attending physician determines that the patient is capable of making his or her own health care decisions and is acting voluntarily.

• The attending physician asks the patient to notify his or her next of kin.

• The patient is informed by the attending physician that he or she can rescind the request for medication at any time.

• The patient is referred to a consulting physician who is asked to verify the attending physician's diagnosis and prognosis, and whether the patient is capable of making his or her own health care decisions and is acting voluntarily.

• If either the attending physician or the consulting physician believes the patient is suffering from a psychiatric or psychological illness or depression causing impaired judgment, the patient shall be referred for counseling.

• Once the proceeding steps have been satisfied, the patient voluntarily signs a written request, witnessed by two people, at least one of whom is not a relative or heir.

• The patient restates his or her oral request for medication.

• The attending physician again informs the patient that the request for medication can be withdrawn at any time and in any manner.

• No sooner than 15 days after the initial oral request and 48 hours after the written request, the patient may receive a prescription for medication to end his or her life in a humane and dignified manner. The physician verifies at this time that the patient is making an informed decision.