Death with dignity

I think most of all the choices we should feel free to make the right to die a painless, peaceful death is a most important one.

The inevitability of death and the seeming universality of end of life suffering is a human experience modern society and medical technology can improve. The contradiction modern society must face; why is medical technology prolonging the suffering, rather than offering choices for a peaceful conclusion?

It further warrants mentioning that part of this universal experience is the vicarious anxiety family members face attending a loved one’s final days.

In a world of declining resources and ever expanding aged population allowing alternative life ending choices is both humane and rational.
The following is the law as enacted in Oregon and Washington State and I consider this as a compassionate law that be put into law in the state of Florida. The measure enacted the following provisions regarding lethal overdoses of medicine:
• The patient must be an adult (18 or over) resident of the state of Washington
• The patient must be mentally competent, verified by two physicians (or referred to a mental health evaluation)
• The patient must be terminally ill with less than 6 months to live, verified by two physicians
• The patient must make voluntary requests, without coercion, verified by two physicians
• The patient must be informed of all other options including palliative and hospice care
• There is a 15 day waiting period between the first oral request and a written request
• There is a 48 hour waiting period between the written request and the writing of the prescription
• The written request must be signed by two independent witnesses, at least one of whom is not related to the patient or employed by the health care facility
• The patient is encouraged to discuss with family (not required because of confidentiality laws)
• The patient may change their mind at any time and rescind the request
Oregon's Death with Dignity Act (Ore. Rev. Stat. §§ 127.800 et seq.) allows terminally ill Oregon residents to obtain and use prescriptions for lethal medications from their physicians. The patient administers the medication to “end his or her life in a humane and dignified manner.”
Under the act, ending one's life in accordance with the law does not constitute suicide or assisted suicide. However, the law is often referred to as “physician-assisted suicide” because it allows people to end their lives through the voluntary self-administration of lethal medications prescribed by a physician for that purpose.
The act specifically prohibits euthanasia, where a physician or other person directly administers a medication to end another's life.
Requesting a Prescription. To request a prescription for lethal medications, the act requires that a patient voluntarily express his or her wish to die and be:
1. an adult (age 18 or older),
2. an Oregon resident,
3. capable (able to make and communicate health care decisions), and
4. diagnosed with a terminal illness (a medically confirmed incurable and irreversible condition that, within reasonable medical judgment, will lead to death within six months).
The act specifies that someone cannot be qualified under it solely because of age or disability.
Patients meeting these requirements are eligible to request a prescription for lethal medication from a licensed Oregon physician. Before receiving a prescription, a patient must (1) make two oral requests to his or her physician, separated by at least 15 days and (2) provide a written, witnessed request to his or her physician (with two witnesses) at least 48 hours before the physician write the prescription.
The act specifies the information that must be included in the written request, including that the patient has been fully informed about various aspects relating to his or her condition, the risks and expected results of the medication and feasible alternatives (see below). The person's physician cannot be a witness. One of the witnesses must be someone who is not (1) a relative; (2) someone entitled to part of the estate; or (3) an owner, operator, or employee of the facility where the patient is receiving treatment or is a resident. If the patient is an inpatient at a health care facility, one of the witnesses must be an individual designated by the facility.
Process to Grant a Prescription. Before a person can receive such a prescription, the attending physician and a consulting physician must also take several steps. For example:
1. the attending physician must make the diagnosis of and determine that the patient is capable and has made the request voluntarily;
2. the physician must inform the patient of (a) his or her diagnosis and prognosis; (b) the potential risks and probable results of taking the medication; and (c) feasible alternatives, including comfort care, hospice care, and pain control;
3. the physician must refer the patient to another physician (consulting ...