**Bill A1504 Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act [47] signed into Law** Apr. 12, 2019, e**ffective Date** Aug. 1, 2019.

State of New Jersey Department of Health **Phone:** 800-367-6543.

**Patient eligibility:** As with other states, candidates must be 18 or older, residents of the state, and able to make their own decisions and communicate them. A patient must have a terminal illness with a life expectancy of 6 months or less. **Physician requirements:** The doctor must diagnose a terminal illness with a life expectancy of 6 months or less. This must be confirmed by a second consulting doctor, who is also expected to certify that the patient can make and communicate health care decisions. If either doctor questions the patient's ability to make judgments, the patient must be referred for a psychological examination. The attending doctor must inform the patient of alternatives, including hospice, palliative care, and pain management options. The physician should request that the patient notify next of kin. **Patient request timeline:** First oral request to doctor, 15-day waiting period, second oral request to doctor along with written request; 48 h to dispensing. **Other:** Patient's ability to request medication cannot be restricted or stopped by contracts, wills, insurance policies, or other agreements. The Department of Human Services—Health Services requires physicians to report all prescriptions to the state. Compliance confers protection from criminal prosecution. Physicians and health care systems may choose not to participate.

#### *11.7.8 New Mexico*

Elizabeth Whitefield End of Life Options Act [48] **signed into Law** Apr. 8, 2021, **effective Date** June 18, 2021.

New Mexico Department of Health **Phone:** 800-432-2080.

**Patient eligibility:** As with other states, candidates must be 18 or older, residents of the state, and able to make their own decisions and communicate them. A patient must have a terminal illness with a life expectancy of 6 months or less. **Physician requirements:** The doctor must diagnose a terminal illness with a life expectancy of 6 months or less and ensure that patient is either enrolled in a hospice program, or that one other health care provider has confirmed the patient's diagnosis and 6-month life expectancy. If either doctor questions the patient's ability to make judgments, the patient must be referred for a psychological examination. Prescribing doctor confirms lack of coercion and ability to administer medication. Prescribing doctor must inform the patient of alternatives, including hospice, palliative care, and pain management options. Prescribing doctor must offer opportunity to withdraw request. **Patient request timeline:** Written request to their doctor, signed in front of two qualified, adult witnesses. Use specific form. **Other:** Patient's ability to request medication cannot be restricted or stopped by contracts, wills, insurance policies, or other agreements. Physicians and health care systems may choose not to participate.

#### *11.7.9 Oregon*


the Attorney General of the United States to prohibit doctors from prescribing regulated drugs for use in physician-assisted suicide under state law permitting the procedure.


Oregon Health Authority **Phone:** 971-673-1222 **Email:** dwda.info@state.or.us **Patient eligibility:** As with other states, candidates must be 18 or older, without a requirement for state residency, and able to make their own decisions and communicate them. A patient must have a terminal illness with a life expectancy of 6 months or less. **Physician requirements:** The doctor must diagnose a terminal illness with a life expectancy of 6 months or less. This must be confirmed by a second consulting doctor, who is also expected to certify that the patient can make and communicate health care decisions. If either doctor questions the patient's ability to make judgments, the patient must be referred for a psychological examination. The attending doctor must inform the patient of alternatives, including palliative care, hospice, and pain management options. The doctor must request that the patient notify next of kin. **Patient request timeline:** First oral request to physician, 15-day waiting period for patients who are expected to live more than 15 days (no waiting for patients nearer death). Second oral request to physician, written request to physician, 48-hour waiting period before picking up prescribed medications from pharmacy. **Other:** Patient's health or life insurance policies cannot be affected by use of law. The Department of Human Services—Health Services requires physicians to report all prescriptions to the state. Compliance ensures protection from criminal prosecution. Physicians and health care systems may choose not to participate.

#### *11.7.10 Vermont*

Act 39 **An Act Relating to Patient Choice and Control at End of Life [51] signed into Law** May 20, 2013 **effective Date:** May 20, 2013.

Vermont Department of Health **Phone:** 800-464-4343.

**Patient eligibility:** As with other states, candidates must be 18 or older, residents of the state, and able to make their own decisions and communicate them. A patient must have a terminal illness with a life expectancy of 6 months or less.

**Physician requirements:** The doctor must diagnose a terminal illness with a life expectancy of 6 months or less. This must be confirmed by a second consulting doctor, who is also expected to certify that the patient can make and communicate health care decisions. If either doctor questions the patient's ability to make judgments, the patient must be referred for a psychological examination. The attending doctor must inform the patient of alternatives, including palliative care, hospice, and pain management options.

**Patient request timeline:** First oral request to doctor, 15-day waiting period, second oral request to doctor along with written request; 48 h to dispense.

**Other:** Insurance policies are protected from being affected by patient's decision to use law. Physicians and health care systems may choose not to participate.

#### *11.7.11 Washington*

Ballot Initiative 1000: Death With Dignity Act [52] **voted On** Nov. 4, 2008 (58% in favor), **effective Date** March 5, 2009.

**Washington State Department of Health Phone:** 360-236-4030.

**Patient eligibility:** As with other states, candidates must be 18 or older, residents of the state, and able to make their own decisions and communicate them. A patient must have a terminal illness with a life expectancy of 6 months or less.

**Physician requirements:** The doctor must diagnose a terminal illness with a life expectancy of 6 months or less. This must be confirmed by a second consulting doctor, who is also expected to certify that the patient can make and communicate health care decisions. If either doctor questions the patient's ability to make judgments, the patient must be referred for a psychological examination. The attending doctor must inform the patient of alternatives, including palliative care, hospice, and pain management options. The doctor should request that the patient notify next of kin.

**Patient request timeline:** First oral request to doctor, 15-day waiting period, second oral request to doctor along with written request; 48 h to dispense.

**Other:** Patient's health or life insurance policies cannot be affected by use of law. The Department of Health requires physicians to report all prescriptions to the state. Compliance is the condition for protection from criminal prosecution. Physicians and health care systems may choose not to participate.

## **12. Conclusion**

We set out to discuss every way a patient could deliberately shorten life in 2022. We believed that a truthful presentation of choices and the consequences that could accrue might lead a patient, after extensive reading and contemplation, to seek help with fears and suffering and make peace with living among us as long as life holds out. We made this presentation even though we have come to have increasingly grave reservations about the wisdom of allowing doctors to kill people while protected by the state.

## **Acknowledgements**

The authors wish to acknowledge the assistance and forbearance of our spouses Kurt Berninger and Janice Plumer in creating this project.

## **Conflict of interest**

No conflicts of interest are identified for either author.

*Leaving Early: The Reality of Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia in 2022 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.105989*
