Supreme Court to Consider Assisted-Suicide Law

The Supreme Court agreed Tuesday to referee the emotionally charged debate over Oregon's "Death With Dignity" law, which allows physicians to prescribe drugs to hasten the death of terminally ill patients. The 1994 law, unique in the nation, gives Oregon doctors the authority to prescribe controlled substances to mentally competent, terminally ill patients who are within six months of dying. Since it took effect in 1998, 171 Oregonians have committed suicide under the law.

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