Constitutional Law

Support For Death With Dignity Law Grows Among Medical Groups

Another major medical association has announced its support of laws like Oregon’s Death With Dignity Act. The American Public Health Association (APHA) has announced its new position that it “supports allowing a mentally competent, terminally ill adult to obtain prescriptions for medication that the person could self-administer to control the time, place and manner of her or his impending death, whereas safeguards equivalent to those in the Oregon Death with Dignity Act are in place.” APHA’s stance puts it in line with the American College of Legal Medicine, the American Medical Students’ Association and the American Medical Women’s Association. Compassion & Choices, a nonprofit advocacy group, lauded the APHA’s action. Kathryn Tucker, the group’s legal director, said, “The review of Death with Dignity by APHA has confirmed once again the benefits and safety of the Act. APHA support should call other states’ attention to this important patients’ rights policy.”

Earlier this year, Tucker examined Oregon’s experience with the law. Her Issue Brief is available here.

Full post as published by ACS Blog on January 07, 2009 (boomark / email).