Law.com Response

http://www.law.com/jsp/pa/PubArticlePA.jsp?id=1202425218745

The article "Washington weighs lethal meds for terminally ill"discusses that Washington state voters are currently deciding whether to allow doctors to prescribe lethal medication to the terminally ill. The measure would specifically allow physicians in Washington [state] to help terminally ill patients end their lives (the same law Oregon approved in 1994). Between advertisements from both sides (people who support the euthanasia/physician assisted suicide movement and people who do not support the act), $3.5 million has been generated.
The new information I found interesting in this article are the statistics given for people supporting/opposing the measure. Although I tend to be more in favor of physician assisted suicide for terminally ill patients, I had assumed that many others would not want such laws like Oregon's to be made (considering many other states have not adopted the law). An independent pollster found that 57% of voters polled supported Washington's measure, 33% opposed, and only 10% undecided. From the same poll, conducted in September, 16% were leaning towards 'yes' and 10% leaning towards 'no'. I was surprised to see more than 50% had supported the measure, and even more voters were leaning towards 'yes' rather than 'no'.
The article also mentions how "there is that libertarian streak in the northwest..." which may explain why Washington state feels very similar as Oregon on the new measure.
Washington's new proposal is different this time in it that it "would not allow doctors to administer lethal drugs on behalf of patients who couldn't do so themselves."
Considering this article is overall pro-physician assisted suicide, and that I am more pro-choice on patients making medical decisions, it has not changed my mind on any type of views or opinions I have on euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. I feel as though Washington, and Oregon as well, is not looking at allowing physician-assisted suicide to be taken as a bad thing, but rather to help the terminally ill and decrease suffering in their lives. Like the article mentions, this new measure will not be done "on whim" and many precautions and considerations will be made for each terminally ill patient and their decision. If anything, this article makes my feelings toward euthanasia and physician assisted suicide stronger, because having this option(s) creates more of a freedom and a choice for people who are truly in pain and suffering. I feel as though the United States is about freedom and being "free", including pain-free.