Portland, Ore. — Oregon saw an 8% increase in physician-assisted suicide prescriptions in 2024, according to the Oregon Health Authority (OHA)’s 27th annual report on the state’s “Death With Dignity Act” (DWDA). Assisted suicide deaths accounted for nearly 1% of all Oregon deaths in 2024.
The Thursday Oregon Health Authority report shows an 8.2% increase in physician-assisted suicide prescriptions and a slight decrease (2.6%) in reported deaths – though ingestion status for 29% of patients was reportedly unknown as of the time of the report. Physicians in Oregon wrote 607 DWDA prescriptions in 2024, compared with 561 in 2023. 376 individuals are known to have died after consuming the drugs last year, compared with 386 in 2023. The number of deaths reportedly includes people who were prescribed the drugs in a previous year.
83% of those who died from assisted suicide last year were over the age of 65, and 57% had cancer, down from 66% last year. Only three patients were referred for psychological or psychiatric evaluation.
“Once again, Oregon’s assisted suicide report shows a devastating increase in lethal prescriptions for Oregon residents and people from other states,” Oregon Right to Life Executive Director Lois Anderson said. “Legal assisted suicide sends a harsh message that our state believes some lives – especially the elderly, disabled, and medically complex – are less worth living. Real dignity and compassion is shown in love, care, and support – not in offering death as a solution.”
“The radically low number of reported psychological and psychiatric evaluations continues and is deeply concerning. No matter their age or condition, a patient’s request for suicide should always trigger a thorough mental health analysis,” Anderson continued. “Failure to provide this basic support for vulnerable patients is unconscionable.”
Deaths under Oregon’s assisted suicide program have increased year over year. In 2023, Oregon saw a sharp 30% rise in DWDA prescriptions and a 20% increase in associated deaths. The increase has been partially linked to the 2023 removal of Oregon’s residency requirement, allowing people from any state to travel to Oregon for a lethal prescription.
This legislative session, Oregon lawmakers are considering a bill to expand Oregon’s DWDA law. Senate Bill 1003 would drastically lower guardrails by reducing the 15-day waiting period to a mere 48 hours; allowing non-physicians to prescribe lethal medication; and forcing health care facilities to publicly disclose their participation in assisted suicide, making it easier to funnel patients toward pro-assisted suicide facilities.
Even without a legislative expansion, providers have been offering increasingly more exemptions to patients to reduce the 15-day waiting period. In 2020, 20% of patients received an exemption. In 2024, 29% of patients received an exemption.
4,881 people have been prescribed lethal drugs since Oregon’s DWDA took effect in 1997, and at least 3,243 people (66%) have died after consuming them, the OHA report states.
For media inquiries or interviews, please contact ORTL communications director Ashley Sadler at 530-859-1957 or ashley@ortl.org.
