For More Information:

Greg Eddleston
Oregon Death with Dignity
(503) 228.4415
geddleston@dwd.org 

Jane Neimeyer
Death with Dignity National Center
(651) 222.2739 
jneimeyer@deathwithdignity.org

Claire Simons
Compassion in Dying
(503) 221.9556
cs@compassionindying.org

- Embargoed until March 5, 2003 at 2pm PST -

This Wednesday, the Oregon Department of Human Services will release the fifth year statistics on the implementation of the state's Death with Dignity (DWD) law.  As in years past, the statistics document the safety and soundness of the Oregon law: all 38 DWD patients were mentally competent and terminally ill; all made repeated and voluntary requests for assistance; and all had access to (and the great majority were enrolled in) hospice programs.

These statistics are just a small part of what is now known as the "Oregon experience."  As Barbara Coombs Lee, President of Compassion in Dying, has found, far more than 38 people have benefited from the law.  "For every Oregonian who hastened his death, 10 others began the qualification process, hundreds discussed the option with their doctors, and thousands found comfort just knowing they had a choice." 

Lee added, "People call this law their insurance policy, their safety net, their parachute."  Compassion in Dying has tracked more than 59 violent suicides prevented since the implementation of the law in 1997.   

A majority of Americans continue to support end-of-life choice; a powerful few continue to undermine it.  Efforts to legalize physician assisted dying in Hawaii came within two votes of passing in 2002.  This year, a coalition led by the Hawaii Catholic Conference and Hawaii Right to Life responded by spending $40,000 on attack ads before the legislative session even started. 

"They have deep pockets and don't mind misleading voters," said Scott Swenson, Executive Director of Oregon Death with Dignity.  "Fortunately for them, scare tactics often work.  But polling completed in early February of this year indicates no erosion in support - fully 71% of registered voters in Hawaii favor the bill." 

A second piece of legislation modeled on the Oregon law has recently been introduced in Vermont.  Swenson expects strong resistance from choice opponents there too.  "We'll rely on the impeccable record of the Oregon law to dispel myths about physician assisted dying," explained Swenson, "then it's up to lawmakers and their constituents to decide if they want autonomy and control at the end of life."

Extremists in Congress have twice tried to nullify the Oregon law since it went into effect.  They failed both times.  "The election of George Bush in 2000 allowed Attorney General Ashcroft to unilaterally thwart the will of the Congress," said Estelle Rogers, Executive Director of the Death with Dignity National Center.  Ashcroft's attempt was struck down, in no uncertain terms, by a federal judge.  Undaunted, he has appealed.

"Ashcroft has a team of attorneys, millions of taxpayer dollars, and far right voters to appease.  It doesn't matter to him that Oregonians twice voted for the right to assistance in dying, or that few Americans support his actions.  This is just part of his crusade," explained Rogers.

Oral arguments in Oregon v. Ashcroft are scheduled for May 7, 2003, in downtown Portland.  A decision is expected in late July or early August.

Online Resources

Compassion in Dying - www.compassionindying.org
Death with Dignity National Center - www.deathwithdignity.org
Oregon Death with Dignity - www.dwd.org
Oregon Department of Human Services - http://www.dhs.state.or.us/publichealth/chs/pas/pas.cfm

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