us ethics not too mention its illegality in most states. As one healthcare worker notes, ôOur experience with the dying convinces us that all options should be weighed before we choose the quickest, or the cheapest or the easiest way outö (Hinkelman 1998, A44).
The State of Oregon is a pioneer in right-to-die legislation. The stateÆs Death with Dignity Act was approved by voters and remains the only state legislation giving people the right to physician-assisted death. Under the law, terminally ill patients may take two lethal drugs if two doctors verify they have less than six months to live and are mentally competent in making the decision to end life (Suicide 2001, 14). Many individuals and states argue that legislation concerning assisted suicide should be enacted on the state level. Attorney General John Ashcroft feels differently. As Ashcroft noted in his attempt to overturn
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