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The November 4 Oregon vote upholding the right to physician-assisted suicide upheld a law that provides a carefully circumscribed role for the psychiatrist or psychologist in evaluating patients who request help in dying. The law does not, however, require a psychiatric evaluation unless at least one of two attending physicians suspects that depression or another psychiatric illness is a factor.
That specific language states:
"If in the opinion of the attending physician or the consulting physician a patient may be suffering from a psychiatric or psychological disorder, or depression causing impaired judgment, either physician shall refer the patient for counseling. No medication to end the patient’s life in a humane and dignified manner shall be prescribed until the person doing the counseling determines that the patient is not suffering from a psychiatric or psychological disorder or depression causing impaired judgment."