California’s latest legislative attempt to legalize the right to die will face its first hurdle Wednesday afternoon in a senate hearing at the Capitol. SB 128 is largely modeled after Oregon’s Death With Dignity Act of 1997. The Oregon law makes it legal for a physician to prescribe medication to a terminally-ill patient wanting to end her life. Oregon has been monitoring who is participating in the ODDA and has recently issued its 17th annual report. Dr. Katrina Hedberg is Oregon’s state health officer and has prepared multiple annual reports for the state. She joins us to explain what the state of Oregon has learned from its aid-in-dying law in the past 17 years and how that may inform California lawmakers on how to proceed. 

LINKS:

• Oregon Health Authority
• Death With Dignity Act 
• Huffington Post: France's Parliament Passes 'Deep Sleep' Bill For End Of Life
• Reno Gazette-Journal: Nevada lawmakers introduce ‘right to die’ legislation
• Pew Research Center: 5 Facts About Americans' View On Life-And-Death Issues

Oregon's Death With Dignity Act