Though its authors crafted the law for people suffering intractable pain, state records do show that few of those who used the law cited pain as a reason. Most said they feared losing their capacity to continue activities. Another large group said they wanted to avoid becoming a burden on their families. The things that those who use the law fear are things all elderly people face and that disabled people deal with every day. Nine disability rights groups oppose the Oregon law.
None support it.
Advocates of assisted suicide said deaths would take place in the context of sincere and genuine relationships between doctors and patients. But records show that most patients have had to seek out new doctors to die. It is our obligation to tell them a serious mistake has been made and there is time to go back. That way, people will know that they have doctors who value their lives. Smith asked the doctors' group, which has opposed the suicide law, to expand well beyond Oregon and even beyond assisted suicide.