Published: Friday, March 5, 2010
Assisted suicide: 36 lethal doses taken in Washington in 2009
OLYMPIA -- Sixty-three people filled a prescription for a lethal dose of medication in 2009, taking advantage of the so-called “Death with Dignity” act.
Of those, at least 36 took the medication, killing themselves. Eleven more died from either natural or undetermined causes.
The information released by the state Department of Health provided a broad view of those who took advantage of the controversial law, which marks its first anniversary today.
For instance, 46 percent were married, 79 percent had cancer and 91 percent said they were less able to engage in activities to enjoy life.
“There’s clearly a demand for it,” said Donn Moyer, state Health Department spokesman.
The law allows terminally ill patients who may die within six months to request lethal medication. A dose can be prescribed after a review by two doctors, although pharmacists, physicians and hospitals have the right to decide against participating.
The measure was passed in 2008, winning 58 percent of the vote statewide. In Snohomish County, 56 percent of voters supported it. It took effect on March 5, 2009.
Most of the deaths detailed by the state took place on the west side of the Cascades. The state has not released county-by-county information, however. Moyer said those numbers may be too revealing, leading to the exposure of someone taking part in the practice.
“The law specifically directs that one of the priorities is to protect participants’ confidentiality,” he said. “That covers the patients, the doctors and the pharmacists.”
That lack of information -- along with other details -- was faulted by Eileen Geller, president of True Compassion Advocates. Her Seattle-based group plans to hold a protest against the law at the University of Washington Medical Center today.
Geller worries that the law widens the door to elder abuse. She pointed to the fact that the state has not received reports on four of the individuals who died after filling their prescriptions for the lethal dose.
“We don’t actually really know what’s happening under the act,” she said. “We have some statistics which may or may not reflect accurately who’s dying.”
The state health department has received no complaints from the public about doctors or pharmacists abusing the law, Moyer said.
That point was echoed by supporters, including Sheila Cook of Edmonds, who helped create Compassion and Choices of Washington, a group which advocates for an individual’s right to decide whether to end his or her own life. She began thinking about the issue when her mother was suffering with Alzheimer’s disease.
Cook said she suspects more people will take advantage of the law as greater awareness of it spreads.
In Snohomish County, no hospitals endorsed the law. Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett and Valley General Hospital in Monroe are continuing to ban the practice.
Stevens Hospital in Edmonds also doesn’t allow the practice, but will transfer patients to a facility that allows it upon request. No one has made a request, however, marketing director Steve Kaiser said.
Cascade Valley Hospital in Arlington is remaining neutral until a case presents itself. That has yet to happen.
“No patients have approached us for permission to exercise their right under that law,” assistant administrator Heather Logan said.
Time will tell if that remains true in another year.
Andy Rathbun: 425-339-3455, arathbun@heraldnet.com.
Of those, at least 36 took the medication, killing themselves. Eleven more died from either natural or undetermined causes.
The information released by the state Department of Health provided a broad view of those who took advantage of the controversial law, which marks its first anniversary today.
For instance, 46 percent were married, 79 percent had cancer and 91 percent said they were less able to engage in activities to enjoy life.
“There’s clearly a demand for it,” said Donn Moyer, state Health Department spokesman.
The law allows terminally ill patients who may die within six months to request lethal medication. A dose can be prescribed after a review by two doctors, although pharmacists, physicians and hospitals have the right to decide against participating.
The measure was passed in 2008, winning 58 percent of the vote statewide. In Snohomish County, 56 percent of voters supported it. It took effect on March 5, 2009.
Most of the deaths detailed by the state took place on the west side of the Cascades. The state has not released county-by-county information, however. Moyer said those numbers may be too revealing, leading to the exposure of someone taking part in the practice.
“The law specifically directs that one of the priorities is to protect participants’ confidentiality,” he said. “That covers the patients, the doctors and the pharmacists.”
That lack of information -- along with other details -- was faulted by Eileen Geller, president of True Compassion Advocates. Her Seattle-based group plans to hold a protest against the law at the University of Washington Medical Center today.
Geller worries that the law widens the door to elder abuse. She pointed to the fact that the state has not received reports on four of the individuals who died after filling their prescriptions for the lethal dose.
“We don’t actually really know what’s happening under the act,” she said. “We have some statistics which may or may not reflect accurately who’s dying.”
The state health department has received no complaints from the public about doctors or pharmacists abusing the law, Moyer said.
That point was echoed by supporters, including Sheila Cook of Edmonds, who helped create Compassion and Choices of Washington, a group which advocates for an individual’s right to decide whether to end his or her own life. She began thinking about the issue when her mother was suffering with Alzheimer’s disease.
Cook said she suspects more people will take advantage of the law as greater awareness of it spreads.
In Snohomish County, no hospitals endorsed the law. Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett and Valley General Hospital in Monroe are continuing to ban the practice.
Stevens Hospital in Edmonds also doesn’t allow the practice, but will transfer patients to a facility that allows it upon request. No one has made a request, however, marketing director Steve Kaiser said.
Cascade Valley Hospital in Arlington is remaining neutral until a case presents itself. That has yet to happen.
“No patients have approached us for permission to exercise their right under that law,” assistant administrator Heather Logan said.
Time will tell if that remains true in another year.
Andy Rathbun: 425-339-3455, arathbun@heraldnet.com.
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