Peter Richardson, Director of "How to Die in Oregon"

http://www.hbo.com/documentaries/index.html

Peter Richardson, director of "How to Die in Oregon" is our guest on Speaking Freely: Richardson produced, wrote, edited and directed the award winning film, set in Oreogn and covering the state’s Death with Dignity Act. The film covers the decision of several terminally ill patients to end their own life with medication prescribed by their physician.

Through a 1994 ballot measure (Measure 16) named the Oregon Death with Dignity Act, Oregon became the first U.S. state and one of the first jurisdictions in the world to allow physician-assisted suicide. The film covers the background of the Oregon law and the life of a few patients who have chosen to take their life under it. It also features some information about the neighboring state of Washington's attempt to legalize physician-assisted suicide in 2008 through a law (Washington Death with Dignity Act) modeled after Oregon