Washington Preps Assisted Suicide Plan

(AP)  Washington state officials have four months to set up a new voter-approved law allowing doctors to prescribe lethal medication to terminally ill patients.

Washington is now the second state in the nation to have such a law, and officials may look to neighboring Oregon for a blueprint.

The measure takes effect March 4. Officials at the attorney general's office and the state Department of Health said they have just started to go through the language of the measure, which passed Tuesday.

Department of Health spokesman Tim Church said it won't have to create a new office or section within the agency. Under the measure, any health care provider writing a prescription or dispensing medication must file a copy of the record with the Health Department, which is required to create an annual statistical report on how the law is used.

Church said questions about other responsibilities the department might have will be determined during the rule-making process, which hasn't started yet.

"We're going to be gathering information over the next few weeks and expect to start the rule-making process by the end of this month," he said.

Anne Martens, spokeswoman for the coalition that supported the measure, said the parties with an interest in the measure likely will study how Oregon's law was put into effect "and see if we can take that experience and make implementation as easy as possible here."

"I don't anticipate any legislative tinkering, but you can never rule that out," she said. "The law as written is identical to the law that's been working in Oregon. We don't see any need to change any part of it."

Opponents said they don't plan to be at the table to help with the process.

"We do not concede that Initiative 1000 is a law in this state," said Eileen Geller, campaign coordinator for the opposition. "Right now for us every option is on the table. Legal is one of them."

Any legal challenge could be difficult since the Washington law mirrors Oregon's law, which was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Under the new Washington law, any patient requesting fatal medication must be at least 18, declared competent and a resident of Washington state.

The patient would have to make two oral requests, 15 days apart, and submit a written request witnessed by two people. One of the witnesses must not be a relative, heir, attending doctor, or connected with a health facility where the requester lives.

Two doctors also would have to certify that the patient has a terminal condition and six months or less to live.

Jennifer Hanscom, spokeswoman for the Washington State Medical Association, which opposed the measure, said the organization has already started educating its more than 9,600 physicians about the new law. Information is on the group's Web site, and a newsletter was being sent to members.

"We respect the wishes of the public and the public has made their wishes known," she said.

She said it will be looking closely at the initiative language to see if there's room for improvements, but "we are not actively seeking any changes."

Under the measure, physicians and pharmacists are not required to write or fill lethal prescriptions if they are opposed to the law.

Since Oregon's law took effect in 1997, more than 340 people - mostly ailing with cancer - have used it to end their lives.

[berniesenn]

Assisted suicide is a humanitarian law and a good one but it involves many complications. Life insurance: Will assisted suicide void a policy? Health care: Will health insurance pay for it? Justice: How will the supreme court deal with it? Congress: What will be the guidelines and rules for this? Social: In states where it hasn''t been put into law, will assisted suicide still be a crime? I am for the idea of a humanitarian law that shortens the pain of going through a slow death, but what will the rules be for using it?

[ohioboomer]

Think about it......if you do not agree with the legislation, don''t do it. Don''t live there. Do yourself a favor and stop even thinking about it. No one is putting a gun to your head to make you act a certain way. If you THINK about this, it is really nothing if it doesn''t affect YOU; and vice-versa. But if you go ahead and get your shorts in a knot about all this, leave God out of it. This is government business and you don''t know who my God is anyway and I do not want you to make that decision for me in the midst of stuff about my country that affects thinking people. Thanks.......

[babooph]

The whaco right will go bonkers on this one !!

[airboatboy1]

You are nothing but a piece of human garbage to bring politics into a subject like this. I can only hope that you meet a long slow death.


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Posted by d7767w at 05:29 PM : Nov 07, 2008

Just move to Washington! A long, slow death can be avoided!

[standlee5]

They just want to save hospital costs. It''ll knock four months off hospital and medical costs. That''s a slippery slope.

[tbuckl]

Death comes to us all, I have an inalienable rights granted to me by almighty God, not men! When faced with death I am at my liberty to fined what is right for me and my God. I have a right to die slowly or fast, it is my choice to make not this idiot government. In the end I will choose for myself and my wishes will be carried out, I care not what the law says, I only care about my relationship with my God which is not open for the government to aborgate.

[forever1973]

"You know, none of us decided to become a baby."
Posted by truthislife1 at 06:24 PM : Nov 08, 2008

You are correct. I never recall asking to be called into existence, either.

[toolmangler-2009]

Does Cancer hurt?
Just wondering.
Posted by mainedoggie at 11:58 PM : Nov 07, 2008



Only if you are alive when you have it.....

[truthislife1]

You know, none of us decided to become a baby. So none of us should decide to become a grave. My mom died from cancer 2 years ago. She knew she had wrecked her body. It was absolutely horrible. Her fight with cancer was an absolute victory, especially because she was a Christian. She knew where she was going, and did not want to go before the Maker said it was time. According to the Bible, death is an appointment and to many people show up early. We never know how God will turn things around, especially in death. Her memorial service was wonderful and painful. I wish I could hold on like she did. It shows how strong someone can be. If they can do it, it may help others to know they have affected someone''s life.

[user168-2009]

"One of the witnesses must not be a relative, heir, attending doctor, or connected with a health facility where the requester lives", and not being paid in any way. Otherwise it could turn into a business!