Law
Supreme Court to review assisted suicide law


The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear the Bush administration's challenge to Oregon's assisted suicide law.

Under former attorney general John Ashcroft, the Department of Justice issued a directive that bars physicians from using federally controlled substances for assisted suicide. The stance was a reversal from the Clinton administration.

The state of Oregon says it has a right to regulate how doctors within its borders practice medicine. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals last May agreed in a 2-1 decision.

Get the Story:
Justices to Hear Challenge to Oregon Assisted-Suicide Law (The Washington Post 2/23)
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Justices Accept Oregon Case Weighing Assisted Suicide (The New York Times 2/23)
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Court Decision:
Oregon v. Ashcroft (May 26, 2004)