RSSOregon Death With Dignity Political Action Fund
The Oregon Death with Dignity Political Action Fund (the Fund) is a 501(c)(4) entity responsible for the defense of the Oregon and Washington Death with Dignity laws and the promotion of death with dignity initiatives in other states.
We achieve this through extensive legal defense of our laws, as well as lobbying and coalition building throughout the US. Most recently, we led the way to the successful passage of the Washington State Death with Dignity Act in November, 2008. As partners, our non-profit and political-action arms, DDNC and the Fund, provide the flexibility to rapidly respond to both legal and political challenges.
The Fund works within the political system to change public policy, thereby improving the dying process for all Americans. The Fund is backed by a national base of individuals dedicated to this mission. Many decide to support the Fund after experiencing a loved one’s difficult death, for their own peace of mind, or due to a profound belief in choice at life’s end. The Fund works to empower terminally ill patients and fight for their rights through lobbying, as well as legislative, electoral, and ballot initiatives around the country.
Today, the Fund is at the forefront of the death with dignity movement, providing the strategic leadership necessary to advance end-of-life care reform, with Washington State being our latest success. The Fund works tirelessly to bridge the gap that currently exists between overwhelming public support for Death with Dignity and the inaction of policymakers and elected officials.
Information on the status of Death with Dignity and end-of-life care efforts and legislation around the U.S.Defend dignity. Take action.
For more than 14 years, the Death with Dignity National Center (DDNC), a 501(c)(3), non-partisan, non-profit organization, has been the leading advocate in the death with dignity movement. Leaders in our organization originally wrote and have continued advocating for the Oregon Death with Dignity Law. DDNC has met these challenges through extensive legal defense of the Oregon law, education and outreach programs, and by developing and nurturing diverse financial resources with one goal in mind: to ensure DDNC's financial vitality and its position as a leader in the death with dignity movement.
Your donation today will enable us to continue to advocate for the right of the terminally ill to die with dignity. Please click here to give a secure, online donation. Thank you.
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Political Action Fund
The Death with Dignity National Center partners with the Oregon Death with Dignity Political Action Fund (the Fund) to conduct lobbying and political activities in order to achieve the enactment of Death with Dignity laws in other states. The partnership resulted in tremendous success with the resounding win in the 2008 Washington Death with Dignity campaign.
Learn more about the Fund's efforts to bring dignity to people around the nation.
History
The Oregon Death with Dignity Political Action Fund (the Fund) began in 1993 as Oregon Right to Die (ORTD), a state political action committee, formed to help pass Ballot Measure 16, the Oregon Death with Dignity Act. Although the Death with Dignity Act was passed by popular vote in 1994, it was tied up by legal challenges (Lee v. Oregon) and a legislative repeal effort until the fall of 1997. Through its grassroots efforts ORTD prevailed and for eight years, advocated for reform through political channels.
In late 2001, ORTD changed its name and tax status to become the Oregon Death with Dignity Political Action Fund. This effort was undertaken so that ORTD could more easily combine its political strengths with the Death with Dignity National Center, a public policy non-profit founded in 1994. Together these organizations are positioned to defend, educate, and lead the political charge in the death with dignity movement.
Patients & Families
The Death with Dignity National Center was formed out of a profound commitment to the idea that personal end-of-life decisions should be made solely between a patient and a physician. Based on this commitment, we are pleased to provide you with support and information as you face the difficult challenges ahead.
Research Center
We have compiled a comprehensive collection of legal briefs, journal articles, and newspaper clippings. We invite you to explore the wide array of information we have collected throughout our history.
In our Research Center you will find frequently asked questions, the history of the death with dignity movement, state monitoring statistics, and a copy of this groundbreaking statute.
