Yesterday I wrote about a Vermont law that would allow doctors to prescribe death without being licensed. Today, I learned that Oregon is considering legislation that would allow “providers”, to prescribe lethally. SB 1003 states that “providers” include a physician, physician assistant or licensed nurse practitioner. I would not trust a PA, NP or nurse practitioner to give me a diagnosis of six months left to live. Would you?

This is not meant to be a criticism. The primary role of these valuable medical professionals is to provide generalized health care, monitor chronic conditions and provide wellness services.

They are not doctors. They are less educated and trained in specialized areas than physicians who have a doctorate, such as cardiologists, oncologists or nephrologists.

I suspect the expansion of the categories of lethal prescribers is due to the fact that many doctors are not interested in assisted suicide. The state has increased the accessibility of death by allowing NPs or PAs to prescribe lethally.

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The bill also allows third parties (the prescribing physician or an agent who has been identified by the patient) to pick up a patient’s poison at a pharmacy. This means that these deadly drugs are less under control.

The Oregon bill would also require hospices, on their websites and patient information packets, to disclose whether they participate or not in assisted suicide.

The Oregon Death with Dignity Act requires hospice programs to publicly disclose their current policies regarding this act, including:

(a) If a hospice patient may choose to end their life in accordance with the Oregon Death With Dignity Act.

(b) If hospice staff can be present when the patient is about to take medication to end their life, in accordance with Oregon Death With Dignity Act.

The hospice program must determine whether its staff is allowed to prescribe or consult under the Oregon Death With Dignity Act, based on their position within the program.

This provision is something I support. The purpose and mission as defined by Dame Cecily, the founder of the hospice movement and a great humanitarian, is to provide hospice care. Participating and cooperating in assisted suicide goes against this. By requiring notification, the values of the hospice will be revealed and families and patients can determine which facilities they should avoid.