With todays medical advances, doesn proper pain management negate the need for laws like Oregons?
No. In fact, many of the law’s opponents admit that even the most aggressive pain management measures fail to alleviate the suffering of 5% of terminally-ill patients. In addition, many Drug Enforcement Administration activities today prevent physicians from providing adequate pain management for suffering patients out of fear of investigation and possible prosecution. Moreover, pain is only one of many complex problems, including loss of dignity and autonomy and immeasurable mental and emotional anxiety and fear.