montana

Listen Up, Montana!

Posted by Peg Sandeen, MSW on July 27, 2010

My Thoughts

Listen Up, Montana!

Montana Death with Dignity

It appears an ugly battle over Death with Dignity legislation may be brewing in Montana. In a complicated 2009 ruling, the Montana Supreme Court determined physician hastened death is not prohibited under current Montana law. In the text of the ruling, the Court did not lay down procedures for implementing Death with Dignity which leaves potential dangers for physicians, patients, and family members that require some sort of statutory or regulatory solution.

Most likely as a result of the murky procedural status, there has been virtually no change in medical practice in the state. Few or no physicians, pharmacists, and/or terminally ill individuals have outwardly discussed their experience under the ruling. Of course, they are not required to do so. Unlike in Oregon and Washington, there is neither state monitoring nor data collection in Montana.

Read more: Listen Up, Montana!

Defend dignity. Take action.

You are the key to ensuring well-crafted Death with Dignity laws for all Americans. With your financial and volunteer help, the Death with Dignity National Center, a 501(c)(3), non-partisan, non-profit organization, has been the leading advocate in the death with dignity movement. Member contributions helped us pass a new Death with Dignity law in Washington, defend the Oregon law, and provide education and outreach programs for the vitality of the death with dignity movement.

donate today