By Alex Schadenberg, Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition
Oregon Governor Kate Brown agreed to expand the assisted suicide law by signing SB 0579 into law. This bill, essentially, eliminates the 15 day waiting period to die by assisted suicide, a safeguard that was designed to assure that the person has an opportunity to change their mind.
Proponents of the bill argued that the bill only applies to people with less than 15 days to live, and yet, it is difficult to know whether someone has less than 15 days to live.
The assisted suicide lobby had argued that assisted suicide laws have not expanded in Oregon, therefore there is no fear of expansion in other jurisdictions. But previous to this bill, in January 2018, Fabian Stahle proved that the Oregon Health Authority had already expanded by loosening the definition of “terminal illness.”
As Stahle wrote, “So under Oregon’s assisted death law, one can achieve the status of being ‘incurably’ sick even if the disease can be treated! ”
Now, with SB 0579, Oregon has further expanded the legislation.
The Netherlands euthanasia law has also expanded by changing the interpretation of the law. The latest Netherlands euthanasia statistics suggest that the euthanasia law has been re-interpreted to include euthanasia for “completed life.”
This new Oregon bill waves the 15 day waiting period, meaning, a person who is approved for assisted suicide can die within days, and if depressed, loses the opportunity to change their mind.
Editor’s note. This appeared on Mr. Schadenberg’s blog and is reposted with permission.