[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 93 (Tuesday, July 14, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H5410]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     OREGON DEATH WITH DIGNITY LAW

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, one of the most difficult decisions we 
in Congress routinely face on the Federal level is choosing where to 
act or intervene in a decision that is reached elsewhere. There are 
some that are relatively easy decisions for most Americans, as in the 
case of where there is active discrimination or a failure to protect 
the environment. People feel entirely comfortable with the Federal 
Government moving to assure equity and environmental protection.
  Many, however, are decisions that are very much in a gray area, which 
some choose, unfortunately, to use for political reasons. One of these 
gray areas, the decision that affects the end of life, is perhaps one 
of the most difficult and personal.
  In the State of Oregon, which I represent, we have struggled, debated 
and agonized over this issue for the last 4 years. The end-of-life 
issue is a very complex one, and, with the advent of new medical 
technologies and our rapidly aging population, it is getting more so 
for more of us.
  There are a wide range of ways to impact on these decisions, but 
none, as near as I can tell, require Federal help or interference. Yet 
today, the House Committee on the Judiciary is poised to have one of 
its subcommittees deal with legislation that would do precisely that, 
undermine a decision that has been agonized over in my State of Oregon 
for these last 4 years.
  There are, in fact, some very technical problems of a serious nature 
with this legislation. It would, in fact, interfere with the practice 
of medicine, of pharmacy, of pain management, of hospice management, in 
ways that would have profound effects on rights that many in America 
have taken for granted, and that is why there are large numbers of the 
medical profession that have come forward with their opposition to 
legislation of this nature.
  In Oregon, our legislation, Death with Dignity, is still a work in 
progress, but the fact is the preliminary evidence suggests that this 
option may actually reduce the incidence of violent suicide while 
easing the burden of both the individual and their family.
  Rather than having a flood of people to our State to take advantage 
of the provisions of the Death with Dignity law, it appears that 
individuals, having the knowledge that they, their families and their 
doctors can control this decision, gives a sense of peace and 
contentment that enables some people to move forward, enduring the pain 
and the struggle, without resorting to taking their own life.
  At this very moment, there are people in America who are struggling 
with this question in their family, and, before the day is out, there 
will be someone in America who will, in fact, hasten their death.
  As Americans struggle with these issues, mostly hidden from public 
view, it is important that we not have that personal tragedy, that 
agony, that frustration made more difficult by laws that ignore the 
realities of modern medicine and the range of legitimate personal 
medical choices.
  As we age as a society, exponentially, with the increase of the 
elderly population, and just the growth in our population, this will 
become more serious. As medical science continues to advance, the 
difficult decision points are going to be made more difficult and more 
complex.
  The evidence suggests that Americans support the principles of Death 
with Dignity. But whether you are a conservative and supportive of 
States' rights, or you are characterizing yourself perhaps as more 
progressive and feel that the government should be involved with more 
innovative policy development, it should be a point of common agreement 
that the Federal Government should allow Oregonians to continue their 
struggle in the implementation of Death with Dignity and avoid 
unnecessary Federal interference.

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