Senate committee hears sharply divided testimony on bill to update OregonDeath With Dignity law

Senate Bill 1003 would update the Oregon Death With Dignity Act to allow electronic prescriptions and reporting, reduce waiting periods and permit nurse practitioners and physician assistants to participate, proponents told the Senate Committee on Judiciary on March 3. Testimony at the public hearing was sharply split, with physicians, disability advocates and faith groups warning the changes would weaken patient protections.

Supporters said the bill addresses practical barriers and geographic disparities in access to the program. Dr. Kaplan, a physician who said he works with volunteer clinicians affiliated with End of Life Choices Oregon, told the committee the bill would update paper-based reporting and allow electronic transmission of prescriptions that today must be hand-delivered or mailed, and would permit qualified nonphysician clinicians to serve patients in rural areas who otherwise…