Under which conditions does the Oregon Death with Dignity Act allow a patient to obtain lethal medication?

The Oregon Death with Dignity Act specifically allows a patient to obtain lethal medication if they are terminally ill. This legislation was designed to provide a compassionate option for individuals facing a terminal diagnosis, allowing them to end their life on their own terms. To qualify, patients must meet certain criteria, including being diagnosed with a terminal illness, which is defined as a condition that is incurable and will likely result in death within a specified period, usually six months.

The focus on terminal illness ensures that the law is applied to those who are in the most distressing situations, providing them with an option to alleviate suffering in a humane and voluntary manner. Other factors, like age, residency, or decisions made by proxies, do not meet the specific terms outlined in the Act for obtaining lethal medication. Each of these situations has distinct regulations or implications that do not align with the purpose of the law, which strictly pertains to terminal illnesses.