Washington v. Glucksberg: Influence of the Court in Care of the Terminally Ill and Physician Assisted Suicide

This Note will examine current issues pertaining to the medical care of the terminally ill individual, particularly with respect to palliative care and how the continuum of medical care incorporates the voluntary termination of a patient\u27s life. Part II of this Note will look at the decision reached in Washington v. Glucksberg, and how the Supreme Court has contributed to the molding of care for the terminally ill. Part III will review relevant aspects of end of life care concepts and their relationship and impact upon the assisted suicide alternative. Any analysis of physician assisted suicide must include the evolution of Oregon\u27s legislative approach to the topic. Oregon is the only state which provides terminally ill citizens the option of assisted suicide by legislative intent, viz., the Death with Dignity Act. The Act will be reviewed at length in Part IV