PAS is just short for physician assisted suicide. In Oregan, there is already a PAS law in effect. There are numerous requirements that must be fulfilled. First, the person has to be diagnosed with a terminal illness and be believed by expert medical judgement, have less than six months to live. This has to be confirmed by more than one doctor. Secondly, the person has to request PAS on 3 separate occasions. A request for PAS must be made in writing and witnessed. A psychologist must examine the patient to determine that the request is made with a full understanding. It has been shown that many patients die from their disease before the PAS can actually be carried out because of the eriod of time necessary to complete the requirements.
Legalizing PAS has not resulted in an increase in suicide of the terminally ill. In fact, some studies show that suicide is actually reduced by legalizing PAS, because once a patient expresses a desire to end their life, doctors are more willing to do what is necessary to provide palliative care and pain relief. Once a patient is free of excrutiating pain, they often do not follow through with all 3 requests.
The way PAS works is that a doctor prescribes a dose of combined medications that will result in the patient's death. They will first slip into a coma, and then death will occur shortly thereafter. The doctor is not permitted to give the meds to the patient. The patient must be able to take them by their own hand. This insures that it is the patient's decision, and that they have willingly consented. The doctor is permitted only to prescribe the medications, and to watch while the patient takes them. They are permitted to stay with the patient until the end, and to confirm that death has occurred.
I hope that answers some of your questions.
