Two Unconventional Ways Oregon is Pioneering the Healthcare Industry

Two Unconventional Ways Oregon is Pioneering the Healthcare Industry

By Leilani Spring Fischbeck

Welcome to the City | Photo by Leilani Spring
Every place worldwide has key health indicators that set them apart, particularly in different states throughout the USA. The state of Oregon, located in the Western US, is one place in particular that stands out from the others; they are pioneering the healthcare field in ways that many would consider extreme and, exceptionally impactful. There are so many "firsts" originating from Oregon, but there are a few that have been life (and law) changing in health history. 

A Legal Way to Die


Did you know that Oregon has, and continues to break the mold in the healthcare industry through implementing a law legalizing medical aid for dying. Oregon was the first state in the USA to implement the "Death with Dignity Act". They are one of just 11 states that have a law that allows individuals who are terminally ill to be assisted with ending their life (2024). In fact, they were the pioneers in the United States starting the progression of legalization in 1994.

From a legal standpoint, medical aid for dying exists in only 11 of the 50 United States. Oregon instated the “Death with Dignity Act” that became effective in 1997, which was the first state to legalize this action and pave the way for Washington’s legalization almost a decade later. 

There are a few rules that need to be in place to execute the “Death with Dignity Act”. According to state law, the individual must be over
End of Life | Designed by Freepik
18, have a terminal illness, be under the care of an attending physician, have a sound mind to make this decision, and communicate their wishes thoroughly just to name a few (NPR, 2022). The definitions and details are obviously specific, and for good reason. Additionally, a key point that many other Oregonians in the healthcare industry make very clear: medical aid in dying (derived from the "Death with Dignity Act") is NOT the same as euthanasia or assisted suicide. In fact, most physicians oppose the description of calling it “physician-assisted suicide”; this is a process for ending life humanely for terminally ill patients, solely decided by the patient, not the physician. 


A Lawful Way to Use Psychedelics


Another breakthrough: Oregon is only one of two states that have also legalized and decriminalized psilocybin (aka Magic Mushrooms); more is being uncovered regarding the psychiatric and behavioral treatment benefits, according to The Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research (2024).  The only other place following Oregon's lead to legalize and decriminalize psilocybin is the state of Colorado. 


According to a New York Times article, Oregon was one of the first states in the USA to legalize and decriminalize psilocybin, the naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in various fungi. Under Measure 109 which passed in 2020, the Oregon Psilocybin Services Act approves therapeutic use for receiving psilocybin, under strong relations and rules. Psilocybin is still a Schedule 1 Drug on a federal level, alongside heroin, LSD, and quaaludes (March 7, 2024); statewide, psilocybin is legal for therapeutic (not recreational) use throughout Oregon and Colorado.  Nonetheless, people are flocking to Oregon on a global scale to find psilocybin centers (like Chariot Psilocybin Service Center,  amongst others) to receive treatment, and legal organizations are experiencing waitlists of thousands to treat individuals with this alternative form. 

Retreat | Image by Benzoix on Freepik
Off the record, I spoke to a long-time resident of Oregon who was recently involved with organizing a universal healthcare plan for everyone in the state for decades, only to encounter pushback from unions and eye-opening realizations of how cost-effective a system like this would be for the community. Additionally, I spoke with an RN currently in a trial period for a new system of "break nurses" at a national hospital in Portland, in hopes of helping mitigate burnout among the overworked nursing population. This is an attempt to implement a law that gives nurses the proper break-times into practice by creating a new required position. Oregon continues to be progressive on all fronts of healthcare; only time will tell how many more "firsts" Oregon has to offer.

Location: Portland, OR, USA

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