Oregon

Status of Medical Aid in Dying

The US’s first Death with Dignity Act, which authorizes the practice of medical aid in dying, co-authored by Compassion & Choices President Barbara Coombs Lee, was affirmed by an Oregon ballot initiative in 1994. Barbara was the chief spokesperson for this monumental law through two statewide campaigns, in 1994 and 1997.

On July 13 2023, Gov. Tina Kotek signed House Bill 2279, bipartisan legislation introduced by the Oregon Health Authority to repeal the residency restriction in the Oregon Death with Dignity Act. The bill took effect immediately, making Oregon the second state after Vermont to remove this requirement.

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Oregon Stories

Latest Oregon News

Updated Introduction to Medical Aid in Dying State Packets
August 7, 2024

Our Introduction to Medical Aid in Dying state packets help explain the medical aid in dying process in jurisdictions where it is authorized*. Compassion & Choices updated the packets to be the most comprehensive resource for those wanting to understand or use medical aid-in-dying laws.

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Compassion & Choices founder Barbara Coombs Lee and ally Dr. Nicholas Gideonse correct misconceptions about Oregon’s pioneering aid-in-dying law in BMJ Journal
November 8, 2023

Read the full article here. This article provides a simplistic perspective, relying heavily on correlation, not causation, to make unproven claims about Oregon’s medical aid-in-dying law and erroneously comparing it to euthanasia laws outside the United States. Claim: “… there was an increase in patients feeling a burden and describing financial concerns as reasons for choosing…

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Gobernador de Oregón Firma ley que lo Convierte en – Segundo Estado Que Elimina Mandato de Residencia en Ley de Ayuda Médica para Morir
July 14, 2023

Compassion & Choices Action Network y sus defensores en todo Oregón elogian a la  Gobernadora Tina Kotek por firmar una medida de ley bipartidista para solidificar una mejora fundamental a la Ley de Muerte Con Dignidad de Oregón, eliminando formalmente su requisito de residencia. El Senado de Oregón aprobó en junio el  House Bill 2279  o Medida de Ley…

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Oregon Governor Signs Law Making It 2nd State to Remove Medical Aid-in-Dying Residency Mandate
July 13, 2023

Compassion & Choices Action Network and advocates across Oregon are praising Governor Tina Kotek for signing bipartisan legislation to solidify a critical improvement to Oregon’s Death With Dignity Act by formally removing its residency requirement. The Oregon Senate passed House Bill 2279 in June by a bipartisan vote of 17 to 8 following the House’s approval of the bill in March…

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Mejoras a Ley de Muerte con Dignidad de Oregón Más Cerca Tras Audiencia
January 27, 2023

HB 2279 Aborda Un Cambio en el Requisito de la Residencia de la Ley, Presentado en Respuesta a la Demanda del 2022  Los defensores de Oregón tienen esperanzas sobre la medida Oregon House Bill 2279 House Bill 2279. El House Behavioral Health and Health Care Committee consideró el proyecto de ley, que ahora pasará a una sesión…

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Improvements to Oregon Death With Dignity Act Closer After Hearing
January 27, 2023

HB 2279 addresses a change to the law’s residency requirement, presented in response to 2022 lawsuit  Advocates across Oregon are feeling hopeful after Monday’s hearing on Oregon House Bill 2279. The House Behavioral Health and Health Care Committee heard the bill, which will next go to a work session. HB 2279 will solidify a critical improvement…

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Governor Kate Brown Proclaims October 27 “End-of-Life Options Day” in Oregon
October 25, 2022

Compassion & Choices praised Oregon Governor Kate Brown for her proclamation that October 27, 2022, is “End-of-Life Options Day” in Oregon. We are grateful for this recognition from the governor’s office and for the long-standing support from Oregon leaders who have helped advance and protect the right for terminally ill individuals to access a full…

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