Lawmakers in the US state of Oregon have voted to expand the state’s assisted dying program by opening it up to residents of other states.
Euthanasia has been legal in Oregon for 26-years, but was restricted to state residents.
The latest bill will allow Oregon doctors to prescribe life-ending medication to out-of-state residents.
Oregon House Republican Leader, Vikki Breese-Iverson, said: “I am deeply concerned about the repercussions of this decision and how this will make Oregon appear on the national stage.”
“This radical expansion of assisted suicide is the latest example of the majority party exerting their authority over Oregon voters,” she asserted.
“I urge my colleagues in the Senate to vote NO on this legislation. This is too extreme for Oregon.”
Christian Today reports the bill is expected to become law in the Democrat-controlled State Legislative Assembly.
Oregon Right to Life expressed disappointment at the vote, but lamented it came as no surprise.
It said the current law already puts vulnerable residents at risk.
New data released by the Oregon Health Authority shows a year-on-year increase in the number of deaths by assisted dying.
It found 431 people received prescriptions for death by assisted dying in Oregon last year and 278 people died — up from 238 in 2021.
Pain was cited as a reason in less than a third of cases (31%), while nearly half (46%) said they feared being a “burden” on loved ones.
