49 min
#9 Why should one church decide for all of us? Death with dignity in Oregon Better Off Dead
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- News
The success of Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act – at 18 years, the world’s longest-running law of this kind – puts two things into sharp relief. Firstly, the increasingly desperate attempts of opponents to discredit it. Secondly, the truth they don’t want you to see – that this law works, and exactly as intended.
How that law came to pass in such a religiously conservative country stands as a masterclass in public policy, and one that set the template other US states have since followed.
Brittany Maynard: 'I would like all Americans to have access to the same healthcare rights' — Source: YouTube
The most significant of these was California, which in 2015 adopted Oregon’s law – thanks in no small part to a woman named Brittany Maynard.
Brittany was just 29, and dying of brain cancer, when she left her home in California to go and live in Oregon, where the law offered her a choice about how she died. Her decision to use her dying days to campaign publicly for a similar law in California made her a household name, with her videos attracting over 16 million views on YouTube.
As he signed California’s End of Life Option Act into law, Governor Jerry Brown – a Catholic – said: ‘I do not know what I would do if I were dying in prolonged and excruciating pain. I am certain, however, that it would be a comfort to be able to consider the options afforded by this bill. And I wouldn’t deny that right to others.’
'I think we do a much better job because of this law. It’s done exactly what it’s supposed to, and more.'
Leigh Dolin, former president of the Oregon Medical Association
Please note: this podcast is not about suicide. If you are interested in increasing your understanding of suicide and how to support someone experiencing suicidal ideation, visit the Conversations Matter or beyondblue websites.If you (or someone you know) require immediate assistance, contact one of the following 24/7 crisis support services: Lifeline (13 11 14), Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467), MensLine (1300 78 99 78), beyondblue (1300 22 4636), Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) or eheadspace (1800 650 890).
Hear more
Listen
Better Off Dead: Interview with Peg Sandeen
Embed player
Peg Sandeen is the executive director of the Death With Dignity National Center in Portland, Oregon. Here, she describes how Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act works, and the campaign to take it to other states in America.
Know more
Article: 'Twenty Years of Living with the Oregon Death with Dignity Act', by Eli Stutsman – GP Solo vol. 30 no. 4, 2013
Report: 'Oregon's Death with Dignity Act – 2014' – Oregon Public Health Division, 2015
Radio: 'California: Euthanasia' – The Law Report, ABC RN, 27 October 2015
Video: 'Brittany Maynard Legislative Testimony' – Brittany Maynard/CompassionChoices (YouTube), 31 March 2015
Article: 'Terminally Ill Woman Brittany Maynard Has Ended Her Own Life', by Nicole Weisensee Egan – People, 2 November 2014
Video: 'Brittany Maynard's mother: Help me carry out her legacy' – The Telegraph (YouTube), 22 January 2015
Article: 'California's governor has signed a bill legalising doctor-assisted dying' – Economist, 6 October 2015
In this episode
Eli Stutsman
Derek Humphry
Leigh Dolin
Kevin Yuill
Alex Schadenberg
Nancy Elliott
Catherine Glenn Foster
Katrina Hedberg
Daniel E. Lee
Our theme music was composed by Zig Zag Lane for Zapruder's Other Films, and edited by Jon Tjhia. Music used in this episode includes 'Haust' (Ólafur Arnalds), 'Dead Radio' (Rowland S. Howard), 'The Puritan' (This Will Destroy You), 'Petiatil Cx Htdui' (Aphex Twin), 'LSD' (ASAP Rocky), 'I Might be Wrong' (Radiohead), 'Between Stones' (Blue Dot Sessions) and 'Forty-Eight Angels' (Paul Kelly).
Your stories
If you're suffering, or someone you love has died badly – in a hospital, in palliative care, in a nursing home, or at home – add your voic
The success of Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act – at 18 years, the world’s longest-running law of this kind – puts two things into sharp relief. Firstly, the increasingly desperate attempts of opponents to discredit it. Secondly, the truth they don’t want you to see – that this law works, and exactly as intended.
How that law came to pass in such a religiously conservative country stands as a masterclass in public policy, and one that set the template other US states have since followed.
Brittany Maynard: 'I would like all Americans to have access to the same healthcare rights' — Source: YouTube
The most significant of these was California, which in 2015 adopted Oregon’s law – thanks in no small part to a woman named Brittany Maynard.
Brittany was just 29, and dying of brain cancer, when she left her home in California to go and live in Oregon, where the law offered her a choice about how she died. Her decision to use her dying days to campaign publicly for a similar law in California made her a household name, with her videos attracting over 16 million views on YouTube.
As he signed California’s End of Life Option Act into law, Governor Jerry Brown – a Catholic – said: ‘I do not know what I would do if I were dying in prolonged and excruciating pain. I am certain, however, that it would be a comfort to be able to consider the options afforded by this bill. And I wouldn’t deny that right to others.’
'I think we do a much better job because of this law. It’s done exactly what it’s supposed to, and more.'
Leigh Dolin, former president of the Oregon Medical Association
Please note: this podcast is not about suicide. If you are interested in increasing your understanding of suicide and how to support someone experiencing suicidal ideation, visit the Conversations Matter or beyondblue websites.If you (or someone you know) require immediate assistance, contact one of the following 24/7 crisis support services: Lifeline (13 11 14), Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467), MensLine (1300 78 99 78), beyondblue (1300 22 4636), Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) or eheadspace (1800 650 890).
Hear more
Listen
Better Off Dead: Interview with Peg Sandeen
Embed player
Peg Sandeen is the executive director of the Death With Dignity National Center in Portland, Oregon. Here, she describes how Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act works, and the campaign to take it to other states in America.
Know more
Article: 'Twenty Years of Living with the Oregon Death with Dignity Act', by Eli Stutsman – GP Solo vol. 30 no. 4, 2013
Report: 'Oregon's Death with Dignity Act – 2014' – Oregon Public Health Division, 2015
Radio: 'California: Euthanasia' – The Law Report, ABC RN, 27 October 2015
Video: 'Brittany Maynard Legislative Testimony' – Brittany Maynard/CompassionChoices (YouTube), 31 March 2015
Article: 'Terminally Ill Woman Brittany Maynard Has Ended Her Own Life', by Nicole Weisensee Egan – People, 2 November 2014
Video: 'Brittany Maynard's mother: Help me carry out her legacy' – The Telegraph (YouTube), 22 January 2015
Article: 'California's governor has signed a bill legalising doctor-assisted dying' – Economist, 6 October 2015
In this episode
Eli Stutsman
Derek Humphry
Leigh Dolin
Kevin Yuill
Alex Schadenberg
Nancy Elliott
Catherine Glenn Foster
Katrina Hedberg
Daniel E. Lee
Our theme music was composed by Zig Zag Lane for Zapruder's Other Films, and edited by Jon Tjhia. Music used in this episode includes 'Haust' (Ólafur Arnalds), 'Dead Radio' (Rowland S. Howard), 'The Puritan' (This Will Destroy You), 'Petiatil Cx Htdui' (Aphex Twin), 'LSD' (ASAP Rocky), 'I Might be Wrong' (Radiohead), 'Between Stones' (Blue Dot Sessions) and 'Forty-Eight Angels' (Paul Kelly).
Your stories
If you're suffering, or someone you love has died badly – in a hospital, in palliative care, in a nursing home, or at home – add your voic
49 min