Hospice & Death With Dignity

C&C believes that hospice is an essential component of excellent end-of-life and recommends that every qualified, terminally ill patient be on hospice because it helps ensure that the patient is receiving excellent pain and symptom management, helps keep the patient out of a hospital or nursing home, provides end-of-life planning and support for the family, and much more. The goal of hospice is the same whether a patient elects a DWD or not – to provide the best possible quality of life at the end of life.

Unfortunately, Catholic-affiliated hospices oppose the option of DWD. However, no hospice provider will refuse to accept, or stop providing care for, patients who wish to use the law. If you believe that your hospice provider is hindering you from using the law,  please contact C&C.

Initiating the DWD process prior to getting on hospice may make it easier for a patient to get the required doctors’ visits covered by his or her insurance. Once a patient is on hospice, Medicaid, Medicare, and some private insurances generally do not cover doctor appointments unless the doctor’s visit is arranged by hospice (check with your insurance to find out). If your pain and symptoms are not being adequately managed, do not wait to initiate hospice. 

Contact C&C for advice or help in choosing a supportive hospice.

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5 Common Misconceptions about the Death With Dignity Law

1. You can wait until the last minute to use the law.
It takes time to find two willing physicians, particularly in Eastern Washington and more rural areas. Even if you already have two supportive physicians, there is a mandatory 15-day waiting period before you can acquire life-ending medication. In reality, a three to four-week wait is more realistic. If you are terminally ill and considering Death With Dignity (DWD), the best time to contact C&C is now.

2. Decisions by hospitals or clinics not to participate in DWD really matter.
In 12 years, only one patient in Oregon has taken life-ending medication in a hospital. One of the great benefits of having a law is that it provides patients with the opportunity to die at home on their own terms.

3. Doctors who work for nonparticipating hospitals or clinics can’t assist their patients who want DWD.
Although the DWD law permits hospitals and clinics to forbid the physicians they employ from participating on their premises, they cannot prohibit a physician from participating as long as they do so off their employer’s premises and off their employer’s clock. In Oregon, doctors affiliated with Catholic health care providers (who always prohibit their physicians from participating while at work) have assisted more than 40 patients who used their law. The law also prohibits providers from retaliating against or disciplining doctors who participate in good faith compliance with the law.

4. Now that it’s legal, you can speak freely about your intention to use the law.
We advise our clients not to reveal plans or details related to using the law to those who don’t need to know. In general, only the members of the “inner circle” – immediate family or other loved ones – and medical professionals who are directly involved should be kept in the loop. Patients and family members should not mention or discuss DWD with anyone other than the physician at the physician’s office.

5. Now that DWD is legal in Washington, your health care providers are required to help you use the law.

Because the DWD law states that “only willing health care providers shall participate in the provision to a qualified patient of medication to end his or her life in a humane and dignified manner,” no physician, pharmacist, psychiatrist, or psychologist is required to help you use the law. However, a conscientious medical provider will either refer the patient to a medical provider who will participate or to C&C.

If a nonparticipating health care provider is unable or unwilling to carry out a patient’s request and the patient transfers his or her care to a new health care provider, the prior health care provider is required to transfer, upon request, a copy of the patient’s relevant medical records to the new health care provider.

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