Initiative 1000
Seattle P-I, Oct. 31, 2008
Former Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber wrote that the Oregon Health Plan prioritizes "services that reflect the values of Oregonians."
Kenneth Stevens, M.D., vice president of Physicians for Compassionate Care, reports that the Oregon Health Plan removed thousands of enrollees shortly after assisted suicide was legalized:
In 2003, Oregon's state government was in a financial crisis, with more expenses than income. ... To help balance the state's budget, Oregon's Department of Human Services dropped health insurance coverage (Oregon Health Plan) for 53,000 medically needy, and financially poor, Oregonians. This included loss of coverage for medications, [such as] drugs for seizures, mental illness, anti-rejection drugs for transplants, and anti-HIV drugs for AIDS patients. Dozens of Oregon media articles appeared during the first 6 months of 2003 regarding this sad time. Many patients died as a result.
Oregon demonstrated it had no problem solving economic difficulties by risking the lives of its most vulnerable citizens. Could other states find this "necessary," with assisted suicide seen as a solution?
The OHP continues eliminating care for vulnerable patients, with the "choice" for assisted suicide chosen by the state, rather than the individual. Kitzhaber comments on "one letter" to a patient, but the Oregon press suggested there were a number of patients receiving letters, eliminating treatments in favor of a lethal dosage.
The American Medical Association, the Washington State Medical Association and 49 other medical associations, publicly condemned assisted suicide, as being "contrary to good medical practice," in a WSMA July 2008 press release.
From across Washington, 120 attorneys declared: "I-1000 lacks critically necessary safeguards against coercion and abuse of disabled, elderly and vulnerable persons, and protects potentially egregious conduct."
In view of Oregon's experience, Initiative 1000 is a dangerous choice for Washingtonians.
Elenor K. Schoen, Shoreline