Supreme Court clears way for assisted suicide

As Medical Ethics Advisor went to press, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a challenge to Oregon’s Measure 16, which clears the way for the assisted suicide law to take effect, at least temporarily. Oregon voters passed Measure 16, also known as the Death with Dignity Act, in 1994, but the law has never taken effect due to court challenges. Voters will decide whether to repeal the measure on this year’s ballot. The Supreme Court decision marks a turnaround from rulings this past summer upholding bans on assisted suicides in Washington and New York states. Next month’s issue of MEA will include a complete analysis of the decision.