News Release

Contact Greg Eddleston – geddleston@dwd.org / (503) 228.6079

Portland, OR – A report in today’s New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM, Volume 347, Number 8) documents the vital importance of control to individuals at the end-of-life as well as the high quality of hospice care available to Oregonians.

In the study, researchers at Oregon Health & Science University surveyed hospice nurses and social workers that care for patients requesting assistance under the Death with Dignity law.  Caregivers indicated that the desire to remain in control was integral to these decisions to use the law.  Moreover, access to quality hospice care in Oregon may account for the modest number of patients who have availed themselves of the law since its implementation in October of 1997.

“Once again, the Death with Dignity law is proven to be the catalyst for real patient-focused reform.  Oregonians are receiving optimal quality and choice in their end-of-life care.  This is truly a model for the rest of the country,” said Scott Blaine Swenson, Executive Director of the Oregon Death with Dignity Center.

The Oregon Death with Dignity Center (ODWD) has been a leader in the passage and defense of the Death with Dignity law since 1994.    

The following individuals are available for comment.

SCOTT BLAINE SWENSON (ODWD Executive Director) has been involved in the assisted dying issue since the 1997 U.S. Supreme Court cases.  Mr. Swenson has been intimately involved in the strategies to prevent federal intrusion.

DR. ALAN BATES (physician / Oregon Representative / ODWD Board Member) is a practicing physician and member of the Oregon House of Representatives.  Dr. Bates recently joined the board of the Oregon Death with Dignity Center.

Please contact Greg Eddleston at the number or email address above to schedule interviews. 

Visit us on the web: www.dwd.org.  

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