The war on Assisted Suicide: the U.S. Government Again Takes aim at Oregon’s Death With Dignity Act

Comments on the U.S government’s fight against assisted suicide. Research shows that patients who invoked their right to assisted suicide did so to control the circumstances of their dying- not because of poverty, a lack of education or health insurance, or inadequate pain management. But Oregon’s Death with Dignity act continues to be challenged. The latest assault permits DEA agents to determine the intentions of physicians who prescribe powerful opiates. But data from interviews with palliative care nurses demonstrates the difficulty of distinguishing among allowing, hastening, or causing death.