Mar 25th, 2023 by Derek Humphry
In its 25th year since legalization, a record number of Oregonians choose Death with Dignity and opt for medical aid in dying as part of their end-of-life care
In 1994, Oregon became the first state to legalize Death with Dignity, which was implemented in 1997. In the 25 years since, the state has experienced a steady ascension in the number of patients who’ve sought and successfully accessed physician aid in dying.
The Oregon Health Authority released its annual report last week on the number of Oregonians availing themselves of the state’s Death With Dignity law.
The numbers show a strong increase in 2022, as the number of patients ending their lives after receiving prescriptions from doctors jumped from 255 to 278.