Filmmaker Peter D. Richardson talks about his new documentary, “How to Die in Oregon.” Richardson interviews dying patients, their families and the volunteers who help them obtain fatal doses of a barbiturate that enables them to hasten death. Richardson spent five years producing the film.
Oregon is one of two states in the nation that allows terminally ill patients who have less than six months to live obtain a prescription for the drugs. The diagnosis has to be confirmed by two physicians and the patient must be found competent.
Hundreds of patients have signed up for the prescriptions, according to an Oregon Public Health Services report. Secobarbital was prescribed to 67 out of 70 patients in Oregon during 1998 through 2000 – the bill was passed in 1994.
The law, which was passed in 1994, has been controversial. Advocates are pushing for similar legislation in Vermont. The bill introduced this session wasn’t taken up in the Vermont House or the Senate.
Last month, Anne Galloway, editor of VTDigger.org interviewed Richardson at a private viewing of the film in Burlington. Richardson talks about how and why he made the film. How to Die in Orgeon premieres on HBO on May 26.
Gov. Peter Shumlin said during the post-film interview that he supports a Death with Dignity bill in Vermont.
VTD’s video footage of the question and answer session is by Catherine Hughes.
The film debuts on HBO May 26.
Clip from the film
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I like what Peter Richardson said about the fact that the film could have been called “how to live in Oregon”–because choices about dying are also very much choices about living. For those interested in an organization in Vermont that is leading this conversation, go to the Institute for Medical Humanism (Center for Communication in Medicine) and learn about their “Difficult Conversations” workbook and film. http://communicationinmedicine.org/#
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There is a powerful economic aspect to the “death with dignity” effort. I’m sure that those advocating the bill have humane intentions, but economic considerations could end up being primary if we are given a choice over whether to end our lives. The prospect of all of our assets being swallowed by medical bills is terrifying. Shortening one’s life could spare one’s heirs. If the legislature creates a means for doing so, terminally ill people will have a way of saving their loved ones some serious financial consequences, and many will feel a strong pull to do so. Those who are dying should not be under this pressure.
We certainly do need to have more of a public conversation about dying well and how to make it possible for everyone to have a good death. The hospice movement shows the way forward. We have made great strides in managing pain, and we are rediscovering the importance of surrounding those who are dying with family and/or loving caregivers. What we fear most is isolation, according to an end-of-life specialist interviewed in Burlington resident Camilla Rockwell’s wonderful film, “Holding Our Own: Embracing The End Of Life.” The possibility of dying alone in a hospital room, accompanied by only a jabbering TV, is haunting. But what is the best way to control the circumstances under which one will die? I believe we need to build awareness of the care that’s needed at the end, and to support people and institutions that provide such care (Vermont Respite House, for example). The end of life needs to be looked squarely in the face and embraced with love. If we have a community in which there are loving people and good places ready for us when the time comes, we can all die with dignity.
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Thank you so much for highlighting “How To Die In Oregon” and the great interview with director Peter D. Richardson. This film highlights the work of Compassion & Choices, the nation’s leading voice for improving care and expanding choice at the end of life.
One small correction, aid in dying is now legal in 3 states: Oregon, Washington & Montana.
For more information on How To Die In Oregon and legal aid in dying, please visit compassionandchoices.org.
Carla Axtman
Online Community Coordinator
Compassion & Choices
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The last stage of life has its lessons and blessings as much as the others. Freedom of choice is the preeminent value for Americans, and, indeed the culture appears to be near to embracing choice at the end of life in much the same way as it has embraced the right of a mother to choose to end the life of another unique and unreproducible human… that of her own child. These ‘choices’ may have sad and, ultimately, very unhealthy ramifications when they go against the will and laws of God. Many, perhaps a majority, have little sense of the Presence of God in their lives, nor is there a hunger and thirst for It. But, after all, America is not, nor has it ever been, a practicing ‘nation under God’ despite the pledge or the conservative rhetoric. If it were, it would value all life…the unborn, the alien, the poor, the sick, the different, the enemy…and the dying. And its people would repent.
Be that as it may….the goodness of God understands our fright, our unbelief, our cowardice, and ultimately, for some, our betrayal of trust in God in the face of death.
We are a generation that expects instant gratification. If the quality of life is not what we think it should be…if we must suffer terrible pain, if our vitality, mental acumen, and productivity wither….if we must watch others suffer acute pain…then this simply can not be, we think. It is NOT to be endured. It is not compassionate. And thousands of years of wisdom are done away with; a Messiah’s teachings and promise are abandoned…with the dispensation of just a few little pills.
One of the greatest gifts of God is the freedom to choose…life or death. We are not slaves…and Oregon has chosen. It offers the right to choose McDeath.