Not everyone is eligible for Physician Assisted Death. Keep reading to learn the requirements:
In order to be approved for Physician Assisted Death, which is currently legal only in Oregon and Washington, the terminally ill patient must:
-be eighteen years of age or older
-be a resident of Oregon or Washington
-be capable of making and communicating health care decisions for him or herself
-be diagnosed with a terminal disease which will result in the end of the patient's life within six months.
Two physicians must agree that these criteria have been met.
-be eighteen years of age or older
-be a resident of Oregon or Washington
-be capable of making and communicating health care decisions for him or herself
-be diagnosed with a terminal disease which will result in the end of the patient's life within six months.
Two physicians must agree that these criteria have been met.
Request timeline
First oral request to physician
15 day waiting period
Second oral request to physician
Written request to physician
48 hour waiting period before patient can pick up his/her prescribed medications
Patient may pick up prescribed medications from the pharmacy
15 day waiting period
Second oral request to physician
Written request to physician
48 hour waiting period before patient can pick up his/her prescribed medications
Patient may pick up prescribed medications from the pharmacy
Further requirements
- The attending physician must be licensed in the same state as the patient.
- The physician's diagnosis must include a terminal illness, with six months or less to live.
- The diagnosis must be certified by a consulting physician, who must also certify that the patient is mentally competent to make and communicate health care decisions.
- If either physician determines that the patient's judgment is impaired, the patient must be referred for a psychological examination.
- The attending physician must inform the patient of alternatives, including palliative care, hospice and pain management options.
- The attending physician must request that the patient notify their next-of-kin of the prescription request.
- Use of the law cannot affect the status of a patient's health or life insurance policies.