Reader Kathleen Lundquist…

…fights the good fight in Oregon:

Just thought I’d forward this letter to the editor that I wrote regarding Oregon House Bill 2016, currently wending its way through our legislature. In response to the fact that so few terminally ill people requesting assisted suicide have been referred for psychological evaluation, this bill simply writes that provision into the law – and the pro-PAS forces are having a cow. Here’s a link to the bill’s text.

And here’s some of what “Compassion & Choices” (::eye roll::) has to say: (They took out a half-page ad in the Sunday Oregonian to complain about it.)

Something bloggable, if you’re so inclined. If they publish my letter, I’ll send a link.

Keep up the good work,

Kathleen

—— Forwarded Message
From: Kathleen Lundquist
Date: Tue, 05 Apr 2011 14:55:24 -0700
To: Letters Mailbox
Cc:
Conversation: House Bill 2016
Subject: House Bill 2016

To the Editor:

I strongly support House Bill 2016 for the following reasons:

The current (2008) online edition of Oregon Death with Dignity Act: A Guidebook for Health Care Professionals (first published by OHSU in 1998) reads, “The patient may dread particular aspects of the future; struggle to find meaning in remaining life; feel guilt, low self-worth, anger, or worry about being a burden to others. Previous experiences with other dying persons may distort the patient’s understanding of alternatives. Illness or personality may impede the patient’s ability to think flexibly or to consider other alternatives. The request for a prescription under the Oregon Act may be an attempt to cope with loss of control and pending dependence on others.” (p. 65)

The authors cite a 2008 study concluding that “of 58 individuals seeking a prescription under the Oregon Act, one in four were assessed to have major depressive disorder. Of the 18 who received a lethal prescription, 15 (83%) had no evidence of a mood disorder, but three were diagnosed with major depression. All three died by lethal ingestion within two months of the research interview [emphasis mine]. This suggests that the practice of the Oregon Death with Dignity Act through 2006 did not include adequate assessment of all patients for mental health conditions that could impair judgment.” (Ganzini, L, Goy, E, Dobscha, S. Prevalence of depression and anxiety in patients requesting physicians’ aid in dying: cross sectional survey. BMJ. 2008:337;a1682) Therefore, they “strongly recommend that all patients who request a lethal prescription under the Oregon Act be screened for depression with a validated instrument… If the screening indicates possible depression, the person should be referred to a psychiatrist or a psychologist.” (Guideline 9.1, p. 67)

In contrast, former Gov. Barbara Roberts complains in a recent Compassion & Choices ad that this bill “burdens patients and physicians with needless procedures and bureaucratic paperwork.” What she dismisses as “paperwork” is a vital part of the patient’s medical record, including the history, treatment, and outcome of their disease. How else can we continue to study the effects of the DWDA? Is Gov. Roberts really against medical documentation and informed consent regarding a medical procedure with documented risks as well as benefits?

OHSU’s guidelines ought to be followed in the administration of the DWDA, and House Bill 2016 merely reinforces this. C&C;’s protest against this bill reveals that they never intended any public safeguards or information on this practice – at least, none generated by forces beyond their control.

Sincerely,